Perhaps little says as much about the convoluted current relationship between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat as this: The team has reached the end game of its seven-game unpaid suspension of the former All-Star forward with the situation nonetheless ongoing.

Yes, the franchise—miraculously—has a 20-19 record with two games left before the season's halfway point. However, the team's on-court performance has been overshadowed by the tug-of-war between Heat forward Jimmy Butler and club brass—culminating in a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team on Jan. 3.

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat don’t seem to care about those optics. The Heat suspended Butler for a second time in less than weeks, bringing Butler’s total team-imposed absences this season to nine games.

Butler, the disgruntled forward who has sought a trade from Miami, left the team's shootaround hours before its double-overtime win.

A once prosperous relationship has deteriorated. Jimmy Butler and the Heat will be relieved when the split is official.

Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade offers honest and harsh take on Jimmy Butler trade drama and past issues with Pat Riley, NBA franchise owner.

Jimmy Butler, suspended for a third time this month on Monday and demanding a trade, has ruined his Miami Heat legacy with a stunning display of childish, unprofessional behavior — and by quitting on the team and its fans.

Jimmy Butler was to return for the Heat against the Magic on Monday night, but reportedly walked out of shootaround after being informed he wasn't going to start.

The indefinite suspension all but closes a complicated chapter of Butler's 13-year career. A former six-time All-Star, Eastern Conference Finals MVP and the leader of two teams who went to the NBA Finals, Butler has taken each of his four franchises to heights they have struggled to replicate without him.

Jimmy Butler is no longer listed on the Heat injury report for suspension or any other reason. Injury report for Friday vs. visiting Nuggets: Out: Josh Richardson (heel), Dru Smith

MIAMI — As the rumors continue to swirl around Jimmy Butler's fate with the Miami Heat, the NBA star said that he's unsure of his future here in South Florida.

The Miami Heat have suspended disgruntled forward Jimmy Butler again -- this time indefinitely after he walked out of a team shootaround practice Monday.