Jimmy Butler reportedly ‘hasn’t even really started’ creating drama with the Heat, so let’s rank his funniest trade demand escalation options.

There was no pretense of Butler being a vibrant part of the Heat for Friday’s game. He shot by himself in warmups. There was none of the choreographed palm-slapping with teammates that’s a typical part of any pregame. Kevin Love did run out to him just before the center-tap and shake hands. It looked like the first time they’d seen each other.

Jimmy Butler's seven-game suspension came to an end Friday night as the star forward returned to action with the Miami Heat, who were promptly smoked by the visiting Denver Nuggets, 133-113.

The clash pits perhaps the NBA's most disgruntled superstar against a franchise that won't bend to his will. And everyone in the NBA is watching.

Butler met with Heat president Pat Riley last week, and then met with Heat owner Micky Arison and chief executive officer Nick Arison on Thursday, according to league sources. Through it all, Butler has remained adamant about his desire to be traded.

Jimmy Butler walked out of the Miami Heat locker room on Friday night wearing a Michael Jordan jersey. It wasn’t a No. 23 jersey.

Jimmy Butler returned from his seven game suspension in the Miami Heat’s 133-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday at the Kaseya Center.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler was back on the court Friday night for the first time since he was handed a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the

Add longtime NBA executive Bob Myers to the long list of people who has had enough of Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler. Butler returned to the court Friday night following a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

Odds are the Miami Heat hoped to move on from veteran star Jimmy Butler before he returned from his suspension against the Denver Nuggets. The fact Butler suited up for the Heat once again likely means team president Pat Riley and the front office are yet to find a return they're satisfied with.

After an alarming last-minute injury scratch from the lineup on Wednesday, Nikola Jokic was able to play with a sprained right elbow in Miami. It did not seem to bother him. He completed his 16th triple-double of the season late in the third quarter with one of his most delicious highlights of the year.