The Jimmy Butler saga continued on Wednesday, as the Miami Heat announced that the 35-year-old forward would be suspended for the team’s upcoming two-game road trip. It is just the latest in a string of incidents that suggest that the relationship between the two sides is effectively over, as he has played in just five of a possible seventeen games since December 20th. There is even further proof that Butler is throwing in the towel when it comes to his overall effort, according to the numbers regarding his pace and style of play.
Jimmy Butler Has Seen His Effort & Commitment Come Into Question
NBA insider Bobby Marks fired off a tweet on Wednesday that highlighted some in-depth numbers regarding Butler’s recent performances. In the five games that he’s played in over the past month, Butler has racked up fewer than 10 field goal attempts four times, and has a total of 57 points in those contests. Over that span, he had 42 field goal attempts and shot 14 free throws. The last time that he put up numbers like that was 2013.
During the Heat’s most recent loss to the Trail Blazers on Tuesday, Jimmy Butler displayed some advanced statistics that show exactly where his effort level is. According to the numbers, Butler moved at a “fast speed” (more than 14 feet per second) just 5% of the time during the game, his second-lowest percentage of the season. He shot the ball on 14% of his touches, and passed on 76% of them, both in the top-3 of games so far in 2024-25.
The camera in the sky does not lie re: Jimmy Butler
From @ESPNStatsInfo and @SecondSpectrum
– attempted fewer than 10 FGA in 4 of the last 5 games
– 5 game stretch with no more than 57 points, 42 FGA and 14 FTA. The last time that occurred was in 2013.
vs. Portland
Moved…
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 22, 2025
Trade rumors have been circling around Butler and the Heat all season long. The team suspended their embattled forward for seven games recently, and the numbers show that he isn’t exactly putting in his full effort when they do allow him to play. The relationship has certainly been severed, but Miami has yet to find a legit trade partner who is willing to take on both the salary and baggage that comes with acquiring Jimmy Butler.
The latest suspension stems from Butler missing the team flight to Milwaukee on Wednesday morning. Instead of allowing him to meet the team later in the day, they have opted to keep him in Miami while they play against the Bucks and Nets between now and Saturday night.
