By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler returned to action Friday (17/1) following a two-week suspension and while his trade request saga is ongoing.
“I guess it’s basketball at this point,” Butler said. “I know what I’m expected to do while I’m here and try to do that to the best of my ability, but we are where we are.”
Butler started the game against the Denver Nuggets for the Heat and scored 18 points on 7 – 15 shots during the 33 minutes he spent on the floor. Miami fell to Nikola Jokic and co. 133 – 113.
This was the first appearance for Butler since a 128 – 115 defeat to the Indiana Pacers on January 2. The Heat suspended the six-time All-Star forward for “‘conduct detrimental to the team” after he said that he won’t be able to find any “joy” with the team any longer.
“Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team,” Miami’s statement had mentioned.
“There was a lot said by everybody except for me to tell you the truth,” Butler said on what has transpired the last couple of weeks. “Sooner or later, the whole truth will come out. Until then, we’ll continue to let people talk. If I’m here, I’ll get out there and play.”
According to several reports, the Heat are looking for a trade that will satisfy both the organization and Butler but haven’t been successful in finding the ideal package of assets in return.
Butler, who became 35 last September, has been playing with the Miami Heat since 2019. He’s led the team to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023.