The situation between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat has taken a turn for the worse, and now it looks like it's starting to spill over into the locker room. On the latest episode of the "Road Trippin'" podcast, Channing Frye, former NBA big man and close friend of Heat forward Kevin Love, shared some alarming details about the incident that led to Butler's most recent suspension.
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According to Frye, Butler allegedly caused a major delay for the team during a flight to an away game. Reports suggest that Jimmy missed the flight and, when asked about his whereabouts, went completely silent.
"Sources say ... Jimmy held up the whole plane because he didn't want to communicate," Frye explained. "From what I heard, the team was waiting for him for a couple of hours on the tarmac. And they were like, 'Where is this guy?' And he [eventually] was like, 'Oh, I'll meet you there.'"
While Frye didn't specify where he got the information, it's worth noting that he's a trusted voice around the Heat organization, given his close connection to Love. So this story has more weight than just typical locker-room chatter.
The timing of this revelation is significant. Butler had already been suspended for seven games earlier in the season for conduct detrimental to the team, and now this latest incident—resulting in another two-game suspension—only adds to the drama. With Butler's desire to leave Miami growing clearer by the day, it seems he's willing to take things to a new level to push for a trade, even if it means burning bridges along the way.
Butler, a six-time All-Star, has one year left on his contract before he can opt out and become a free agent, making this season his last chance to force his way out of Miami. While his suspension ends Monday, when the Heat face Orlando, the situation remains precarious. The Heat are reportedly exploring trade options, so it's looking more and more like a move is imminent, and this saga may soon come to a messy, yet inevitable, conclusion.
