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Jimmy Butler expressed his admiration for the city of Miami on Saturday despite his current request to be traded from the Heat.
“I love this city with everything that I have,” Butler told reporters at a padel tournament.
Will Manso @WillManso
Jimmy Butler didn’t answer specific questions tonight on his suspension or his Heat future, but he did tell officials at Padel tournament on Miami Beach:
“I love this city with everything that I have.” pic.twitter.com/aGfez8nJAV
Butler is currently in the midst of a two-game suspension for missing a team flight as well as a “continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team.”
The 35-year-old indicated to the Heat that he wanted to be traded on Jan. 2.
Butler previously served a seven-game suspension that came the day after his trade request, with the Heat citing “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team” showing that “he no longer wants to be part of this team.”
He returned to play in three games before he was given the second suspension.
Despite Butler’s desire to be moved from the Heat, he’s been consistent in his support of the city.
“I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win, and right now I’m not doing it,” Butler told reporters on Jan. 2 (1:30 mark).
The six-time All-Star doesn’t have a specific destination that he wants to be dealt to, as ESPN’s Marc J. Spears reported that Butler’s wishlist is “just out of Miami, with the exception of Memphis.”
The Phoenix Suns appear to be a possible landing spot, with ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst reported Friday that trading for the star forward is the Suns’ “top objective” and there is “motivation” from both Butler’s representatives and the Heat to complete a trade.
In 25 starts this season, he’s averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 54.0/36.1/80.1 shooting splits.
While Butler enjoys Miami, his stance on wanting a change of scenery hasn’t seemed to change as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches.
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