LeBron explains why NBA Finals loss won’t haunt him

Jimmy Butler will be expected to play for the Miami Heat again following his seven-game suspension if he is not traded by then, a source tells the Miami Herald. Butler will be eligible to play again when the Heat return from their six-game road trip to play the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 17. Miami isn’t interested in letting Butler remain away from the team while paying him the remainder of his salary.

The Heat are listening to trade offers on Butler, but finding a workable deal will be challenging for the team. Butler is on a $48.8 million salary for the season with a player option for 25-26 at $52.4 million. Miami could ultimately find it more appealing to let the Butler situation go into the offseason when he can decide upon his option and possibly trade him then, or participate in a sign-and-trade.

Butler has been disappointed with the Heat primarily because Miami declined to give him a two-year, $113 million contract extension this past summer.

Butler’s seven-game suspension will cost him approximately $2.4 million. The NBPA will file a grievance to dispute the suspension and could go to arbitration.