Happy New Year 2025

Tag: Heat

LeBron James takes heat for late decision to skip NBA All-Star Game

LeBron James drew some blowback on Sunday night as he announced 90 minutes before the NBA All-Star Game was set for tip-off that he would forgo playing in it over a foot issue.

The Los Angeles Lakers star said he would miss the mini tournament with foot and ankle discomfort. It ended his streak of 20 consecutive All-Star Game appearances. TNT hosts appeared to be appalled by the late decision from James.

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, #23, prepares to shoot as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, #45, watches during the skills challenge at the NBA basketball All-Star Saturday night festivities on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“I think ‘Bron coulda helped somebody else out and said this earlier,” Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said, via Awful Announcing.

Former NBA star Jalen Rose added that James “took a roster spot from somebody.”

It was the first time James had missed an All-Star Game since 2004. He was set to play for Team Shaquille O’Neal in the All-Star Game’s new competition format. The team was then down to seven players – Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and James Harden.

MAC MCCLUNG, WHO HAS PLAYED IN 1 NBA GAME THIS SEASON, WINS 3RD STRAIGHT DUNK CONTEST

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James speaks during a press conference before the NBA basketball All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

“I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it’s not where I want it to be,” James said. “And with 30 games left and with us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild, West, I feel like it’s very important for me to kind of take care of myself and understand what’s coming on.

“So, I won’t say it’s maintenance, but it is maintenance,” he said. “At the same time, I have to look out for myself when it comes to this to this injury I’ve been dealing with for years.”

James said he will resume rehabbing the injury on Monday and hoped to play on Wednesday as the Lakers return from the break to compete against the Charlotte Hornets.

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Shaq’s OGs player LeBron James, #23, sits courtside in street clothes during Game 2 of the NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)

He is averaging 24.3 points, 9 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 17, 2025
Heat to trade Jimmy Butler to Warriors: report

Jimmy Butler is reportedly on the move with hours left before the NBA trade deadline.

The Miami Heat agreed to trade Butler to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round pick, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The trade will mark the bitter end between Butler and the Heat organization.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 6, 2025
Heat suspend Jimmy Butler indefinitely after disgruntled star left shootaround: report

The latest update in the Jimmy Butler-Miami Heat saga isn’t a good one for fans.

Butler has been suspended for a third time by the organization, and this time, it’s indefinite, according to ESPN.

This comes after he was expected to return to the Heat on Monday night ahead of their matchup with the Orlando Magic. And the reason for this suspension revolves around how Miami planned to bring him back.

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Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton (5) during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

The Heat were looking to use Butler off the bench moving forward, but he wasn’t fond of that news when discussed at the team’s morning shootaround.

ESPN reported that Butler walked out of the shootaround after learning his team’s plan, which ultimately led the organization to suspend him indefinitely.

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This strained relationship has led to Butler missing nine of the last 12 Heat games heading into Monday. The first suspension Butler faced was worth seven games due to conduct detrimental to the team.

Butler would return and play three games, but his second suspension came after missing a team flight for a road trip last Wednesday, resulting in another two games being docked.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) walks off the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

While his team was facing the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets on the quick road trip, Butler was spotted at the Reserve Cup padel series in Miami, hanging out with National Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, comedian Andrew Schulz and more.

Butler is not happy with his role on the Heat, and he has requested a trade from the organization. At first, team president Pat Riley said the organization wouldn’t be taking calls on Butler. However, that mindset has changed in recent weeks.

The NBA trade deadline is coming up soon, though, as Feb. 6 will be the final day any trade can be made for this season across the NBA.

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Butler is in the second year of his three-year, $146.4 million deal with the Heat, all of which is guaranteed. He has a player option for next season worth $52.4 million against the Heat’s cap.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 27, 2025
‘Inside the NBA’ has spirited debate over Heat star Jimmy Butler’s drama, latest suspension

Jimmy Butler’s sixth season with the Miami Heat has been turbulent.

The team recently suspended the six-time All-Star for the second time in three weeks — a decision that further fueled the belief that Butler has already played his final game for the franchise.

Butler drew the latest suspension for what the team in a statement Wednesday called a “continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team,” including missing the Heat’s flight to Milwaukee earlier in the day. The Heat were scheduled to play the Bucks on Thursday, before traveling to New York for a matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 25.

During Thursday’s edition of TNT’s long-running “Inside the NBA,” Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith discussed the drama surrounding Butler.

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Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) walks off the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

O’Neal argued it is “human nature” for Butler to want to land with another team when his contract situation is taken into consideration.

“I just think in this situation, it’s more about human nature,” O’Neal noted. “I know exactly how Jimmy feels, I’ve been in this situation many times. All that I’ve done for you, and you don’t want to give me what I want, so human nature kicks in. . . . The part I hate about this business of basketball thing, it always has to be somebody’s fault.”

JIMMY BUTLER PLAYS IN SUNS-THEMED SNEAKERS HOURS AFTER PHOENIX ACQUIRES TRADE ASSETS

Butler, 34, has one year remaining on his deal and has a $52 million player option for the 2025–26 season. He is eligible for a two-year, $113 million extension. However, it does not appear that the Heat extended such an offer to Butler, largely because he’s missed about 25 percent of the team’s games since he arrived in 2019.

Nevertheless, Johnson, Barkley and Smith all expressed view points that opposed O’Neal’s thoughts.

The TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax broadcasts live before the game on October 24, 2023, at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Jamie Schwaberow/NBAE via Getty Images)

“You can’t just not show up to work,” Barkley responded.

“You took the $50 [million] for this year and next year,” Smith added.

While Johnson typically acts as a referee when the trio of NBA players engage in spirited exchanges on the show, he challenged O’Neal after the four-time NBA player doubled down on his position.

“You don’t feel a responsibility when you are under contract this season to play this season?” Johnson asked.

Jimmy Butler, #22 of the Miami Heat, prepares to shoot a free throw against the Washington Wizards on February 2, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images)

Barkley also suggested that Butler owed it to the fans and his teammates to put his feelings about the contract situation aside and do his part to help the Heat win games.

“You can get mad at the Miami Heat organization, but the fans of Miami and those guys in that locker room have nothing to do with you wanting a contract extension.”

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Butler was banished for seven games earlier this month, costing him about $2.4 million in salary.

Money may not be the only factor contributing to Butler’s unhappiness. Butler has made it no secret that he’s not pleased with what he says is his new role within the Heat offense. He didn’t participate in his usual way during the introduction of the Heat starters in a recent game, and he has sat by himself at times during timeouts while not engaging in the huddle.

Butler told the Heat in recent weeks that he wants a trade, according to multiple reports. The demand has not been made publicly, because NBA rules do not allow players to do so. The NBA’s trade deadline is Feb. 6.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 25, 2025
Heat suspend Jimmy Butler again after missing flight for road trip: report

The Miami Heat’s rollercoaster saga with All-Star Jimmy Butler continues, as they are reportedly suspending him two games for missing a team flight for a road trip, per ESPN.

The Heat were heading to Milwaukee on Wednesday for their nationally televised game against the Bucks on Thursday night, but Butler was not on the flight.

ESPN adds that Butler intended on making his way to Milwaukee another way, but the Heat are expected to suspend him for the road trip, which includes a Saturday game against the Brooklyn Nets as well.

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Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat prepares to shoot a free throw against the Washington Wizards on February 2, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. (Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images)

This is the second in-house suspension for Butler this season, which only adds to the turmoil that was highlighted by him requesting a trade a few weeks ago.

Butler also served a seven-game suspension for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team,” though he remains a member of the Heat.

JIMMY BUTLER PLAYS IN SUNS-THEMED SNEAKERS HOURS AFTER PHOENIX ACQUIRES TRADE ASSETS

Butler continues to play, but he noted over the weekend that the “whole truth will come out” after making his trade request.

“Sooner or later, the whole truth will come out, but until then, we’ll continue to let people talk. And if I’m here, I will get out there to play,” Butler told the media after playing in the team’s loss to the Denver Nuggets at home.

Bulter also seemed to be frustrated with the reports that said his relationship with Miami players and the front office were tense.

“I expect for people to talk,” Butler said. “Half the reason is because don’t nobody ever know what I’m really doing, so you just make up stuff, which is fine. And, honestly, I really don’t pay any attention to it. But I’ve got people telling me, ‘Oh they said this. They said that.’ So, I guess it’s really all good. I don’t have to clear anything up.

“So more power to you. Keep talking, and we’ll see where we end up.”

Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the 35-year-old sparked some social media controversy as he was spotted wearing Phoenix Suns-themed sneakers on Tuesday night, with many believing it was done purposefully as his desired trade destination.

It also came just hours after the Suns acquired three future first-round picks from the Utah Jazz in exchange for another first-round pick.

Phoenix could use another star, as the Kevin Durant-Devin Booker-led roster is only 21-21 this season.

Heat president Pat Riley said back in December, “We are not trading Jimmy Butler.” However, the team’s stance changed after that seven-game suspension.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) walks off the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)

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The Heat said they would “listen to offers” on Butler after announcing his suspension.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 23, 2025