Photo: Peter Baba

There are members of the Miami Heat who are expressing reluctance about Jimmy Butler’s return to the team now that his seven-game suspension has ended.

During Butler’s absence, the Heat managed a 3-4 record, with six of those games being played on the road, making the team’s performance even more challenging.

One source close to the team was blunt in saying, “I don’t know how he can come back to this locker room,” while another added, “We don’t want him back,” signaling the tension surrounding the player’s return.

There is a growing unease within the team, as ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that “there remains a palpable dread at what [Butler] might do and the environment the ongoing chaos might create.”

According to Shelburne’s sources, the ongoing drama surrounding Butler has left teammates, coaches, and staff members exhausted and frustrated.

His suspension was a calculated decision by the Heat, who hoped the time away from the team would provide some respite from the escalating tensions related to Butler’s behavior.

The team felt that the veteran had not been giving his best effort during two separate games, prompting the organization to take action.

For Butler, the relationship with the Heat has soured, as he believes that the organization has increasingly prioritized the development of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, both on and off the court.

This shift in focus has reportedly left Heat forward feeling marginalized, as evidenced by the fact that his image and influence within the team have reached their lowest point since the 2013-14 season.

“If they’re doing this transition to Bam and Tyler, Jimmy’s like, ‘Fine, do your transition,’” a source close to Butler said, reflecting his growing discontent.

The source further explained that if Butler is going to be relegated to a secondary role, he would prefer to play for a team like the Phoenix Suns, where he could be the third option behind stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

This signals Butler’s frustration and his belief that if he’s no longer viewed as the primary player in Miami, he would rather pursue other opportunities where he can still be a central figure.

The situation continues to create significant uncertainty regarding Butler’s future with the team and the Heat’s ability to move forward smoothly.