ATSWINS

Jimmy Butler inspires Andrew Schultz joke as he attends Miami gala just hours after Heat suspension

Updated Jan. 23, 2025, 10:31 p.m. by Damian Burchardt 1 min read
NBA News

Jimmy Butler made the most of his extra free time after receiving another suspension from the Miami Heat .

The six-time NBA All-Star attended a star-studded private dinner organized for the Padel competition Reserve Cup draft ceremony, hosted by Moncayo Ocean Club at a private residence in Miami on Wednesday, just hours after earning a two-game ban for missing a team flight .

"Butler seemed to be in a good mood at the event, talking sports and hanging with the best padel players in the world," a source told Mirror US Sports .

"He loves the sport and the competitive fire that these athletes have." Butler serves as Reserve Cup honorary chairman and co-captain.

The event kicked off a three-day Reserve Cup Miami 2025 event featuring two Padel teams led by MLB legend Derek Jeter and comedian Andrew Schulz.

Butler and Schulz who would win the game coin toss were spotted chatting at the Wednesday bash.

Before the draft officially started, the comedian couldn't stop himself from poking fun at the 6-foot-7 forward's standoff with the Heat.

"If anyone asks he was NOT here, he was at the Heat facility practicing....

that was someone else you saw," Schulz said, prompting a wave of chuckles across the room, per the source.

Butler was told to stay home after failing to catch a team flight ahead of Thursday's game with the Milwaukee Bucks, starting Miami's two-game road trip.

The 35-year-old returned from a seven-game ban for "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team" only last week, making three starts for the Heat before they suspended him again on Wednesday.

"We have suspended Jimmy Butler for two games for continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct, and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing todays team flight to Milwaukee," Miami said in a statement late on Wednesday night.

Butler has reportedly been trying to change teams before the February 6 trade deadline.

The Bucks and Phoenix Suns have been mentioned as two potential destinations for the wantaway forward.

The Suns appeared to be gearing for a major trade earlier this week, trading their valuable unprotected 2031 first-round pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for 2025, 2027, and 2029 first-rounders..

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