Despite Jimmy Butler’s trade request, he’s back in Miami — for now.
The Heat forward was suspended for seven games due to conduct detrimental to the team and is now back in the starting lineup for Miami against the Nuggets in a 2023 NBA Finals rematch on Friday evening.
Bernie Lee, Butler’s agent, posted a press release on X akin to Michael Jordan’s famous “I’m back” statement, which ended his first NBA retirement in 1995.
Leaning into the Jordan theme — or troll — Butler posted photos on his Instagram story wearing the Jordan No. 45 Bulls uniform.
Butler, who played with the Bulls from 2011-17, channeled the jersey Jordan wore upon his return to the NBA in 1995, which he wore before returning to the iconic 23.
Butler last played for the Heat on Jan. 2 in a blowout loss to the Pacers, where he only scored nine points for a second straight game.
Rumors and reports had been circulating that he had become discontented due to the lack of a new contract from the Heat and that he was potentially eyeing a trade.
After the contest,…
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