NBA Heat star Butler, who broke out in a trade scandal during the season, was suspended by the team a few days ago, and with the end of the seven-game suspension, the Heat removed him from the injured list, meaning that there is a chance to play in the game against the Nuggets this Friday US time.
NBA Heat star Butler
Butler's relationship with the team deteriorated after he shouted "sell me", and the Heat imposed a suspension for affecting the team, and if Butler returns in the game against the Nuggets, it will be the first appearance since the Heat officially admitted to trading Butler.
In the seven games in which Butler was suspended, the Heat had a 3-4 record, and Butler did not accompany the team in all six of those road games. It's uncertain whether Butler will play for the Heat after the ban is lifted, but ESPN believes that now that the Heat have removed him from the injured roster and there are no signs of a trade, the team will still let him play.
The report also pointed out that Butler is expected to meet with the team's top management in the past two days, including head coach Sposcha, Butler did not play in the fourth quarter of two consecutive games before being suspended, which made him very dissatisfied with his position in the team, and said that playing in the Heat is no longer happy.
Butler's annual salary this season is close to $49 million, and he has a $52 million player option next season, averaging only 17.6 points so far this season, the lowest since the third grade, but his 55.2% shooting percentage is a career high, and his 35-year-old age and uncertainty about whether he will exercise the player option have become a major obstacle to the trade.