The Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler divorce is a complicated one. Too much has been going around, from a flip in statements to suspensions, and also mural vandalism. Maybe, Miami is actually preparing itself for days without Butler. However, with each new day, new drama is unfolding between the two parties. And now, even the NBPA has joined the thriller called “Who’ll have the last laugh?” Besides there are the latest monetary and legal disputes that might just add the (remaining) spice to the story.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst was joined by Tim Bomtemps, Tim MacMahom, and attorney Alex Spiro on The Hoop Collective’s latest episode. Here the insiders and the legal expert dissected the situation between Pat Riley and Jimmy Butler. Starting with his suspension to the fuss around the $2.3 million fine.

Heat boss might use Jimmy Butler’s unfiltered nature against him

Is the Miami Heat a little aggressive with the ongoing drama? Yes. And why shouldn’t they be? After all, a team is always bigger than a player. Moreover, Jimmy Butler‘s public expression of unhappiness has done considerable damage to the team’s balance. Surely the root of the drama is the no-contract extension offseason, that the All-Star forward had which developed into this full-blown beef. And a major $2.3 million salary snip is on its way because Butler is going to miss seven games. We’ll come to this in a bit because we have to shift our focus on how the 35-year-old’s statements could be used against him.

Well, Pat Riley is most likely to turn Jimmy Butler’s honest self into a weapon. On Brian Windhorst’s The Hoop collective, the host strongly noted: “They’re [Miami Heat] going to use his words against him. He said something to the effect of, ‘I can’t play hard here. Dn’t love it here. I can’t play hard when I don’t love it here.’ They’re just going to point to it with him saying that and saying it was attitude, that you basically were deciding to fold it in.”

A few days ago, Jimmy Butler told the media: “I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said. “I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win, and right now I’m not doing it.” When asked if he can get his joy back on the court with the Heat, Butler responded: “Probably not.”

“That’s conduct detrimental to the team, but to play that way—was that a $2.3 million,” Alex Spiro chipped in. “I’m just telling you that what happens in these cases is you use the person’s words against them. That’s what they’re going to use. They’re not going to look at how low his defensive stance is and try to compare it to last year. They’re going to say, look at his own. If you want to know what the guy was doing and thinking, look at his own words.” Well, it wouldn’t be surprising if the team turned Butler’s words against him at this point. They’re on such a platform where getting rid of each other seems like the best option available.

Moreover, the whole $2.3 million blow and the NBPA’s involvement are adding to the story.

Pat Riley vs Jimmy Butler takes a new turn with $2.3 million as legal dispute awaits

Brian Windhorst gives a quick recap. Pat Riley made headlines with conflicting remarks within two weeks. First: “We are not trading Jimmy Butler.” Days later: “We are trading Jimmy Butler.” Tim MacMahon mocks the scenario by saying: “The second one was basically, who the hell wants this guy?” Miami suspended their 35-year-old superstar for seven games without clearly explaining the reason. They picked seven games (1 home and 6 on the road) to say, “We are better off without you on the road.”

However, the Union (NBPA) immediately took matters in hand and “filed a grievance and they’re going to go to arbitration,” Windhorst informed. Simply put, the NBPA will challenge Jimmy Butler’s suspension. “Jimmy might not get all the 2.3 million back,” ESPN’s insider added. “…but unless there’s some sort of conduct detrimental that they haven’t articulated, not playing that hard in a game, you can’t prove that.” These $2.3 million will be a hefty blow off the superstar’s salary for missing seven games And the Union firmly believes it’s a bit too harsh for someone who’s being ‘honest’ with his feelings.

As you can guess A LOT is going on in this game. Before the NBA trade deadline on February 6, Pat Riley faces a big decision. He might send Jimmy Butler away. That is if he’s ready to make the call. The situation grows tense with every passing day. Now, the Players’ Association has stepped in. A new chapter is about to unfold. Whether it’s written or read, only time will tell.