What should we expect from Jimmy Butler rejoining the Heat this week? And why Oklahoma City should be feeling thankful.

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.

MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler returned to the Miami Heat as planned on Friday, going through the team’s walkthrough in advance of their game against the Denver Nuggets ( 8 ET, League Pass ).

Will Jimmy Butler make his Heat return on Friday against the Nuggets? Check back here for updates throughout the day

Though Butler is returning to the court as his team-issued seven-game suspension ends, his dispute with the Heat remains far from resolved.

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler will return to the lineup on Friday against the Denver Nuggets after serving his seven-game suspension.

If the Heat don't move Jimmy Butler by the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline, he'd be better off picking up his player option to facilitate a trade this offseason.

As the Jimmy Butler situation continues to evolve, Miami Heat icon Dwyane Wade offered his thoughts on the seemingly broken relationship between the organization that he once represented as an NBA superstar and his friend and former Chicago Bulls teammate.

While this doesn't do enough to push the Suns towards contention this season, it makes the avenues to contend in future ones more clear. Ball would bring much needed size/defense to the guard spot, while Craig is a phenomenal locker room presence and brings enough 3&D chops to the table to make that a worthwile addition.

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. It was a No. 45 — the one Jordan briefly wore when he returned to the Chicago Bulls after coming out of retirement in March 1995.

Jimmy Butler made his return, but the Heat still lost its third straight game to reach the 40-game mark at 20-20.