Hardaway admonishes Butler: ‘Go out and damn play.’ And how L.A. fires are impacting Heat

Having not yet been presented with a trade offer to its liking, the Heat remains prepared to welcome back disgruntled star Jimmy Butler when the team returns to South Florida to play Denver on Friday.

Coach Erik Spoelstra declined to comment on Butler after the team’s morning shootaround at the Moda Center, in advance of Saturday night’s game at Portland (10 p.m., FanDuel Sports Sun).

Butler has been working out at the Kaseya Center with assistant coach Octavio De La Grana and two other Heat staffers. Asked if he has spoken to De La Grana about Butler’s workouts and the feedback offered, Spoelstra said: “Of course I’ve talked to him. I’m very close to coach. That’s between me and coach O, with all due respect.”

Saturday’s game will mark the fifth game in a seven-game suspension administered to Butler as discipline for what the Heat called conduct “detrimental to the team.” Miami entered Saturday with a 2-2 record since the suspension began.

Butler and his agent, Bernie Lee, haven’t commented publicly since the suspension, which happened the day after Butler said he did not believe he could again find “joy” playing for the Heat. Miami has declined to offer Butler a max extension that he has been seeking -- one that would run through 2026-27.

According to a source, the Heat continues to try to trade Butler but has not been given a trade offer that it considers acceptable.

Miami intends to bring him back to the team if he’s not traded in the next six days because the organization remains opposed to the notion of paying Butler not to play.

Meanwhile, former Heat guard Tim Hardaway claimed during an interview on Sirius XM Radio on Saturday that “I know [Pat Riley] gave [the NBPA] a 10-page letter and I know he gave them some film to show them why he suspended him.”

The Heat and Butler’s camp declined to comment on that claim. But a source said teams are required to submit documentation when a player is suspended.

Hardaway criticized Butler’s handling of the situation, noting that Butler is under contract for $48 million this season, with a $52 million player option for next season.

“You don’t disrespect authority,” Hardaway said of Butler. “And that’s what Jimmy Butler has been doing. I tell you this: Pat Riley, this boat is going to sail on top of the water as long as Pat Riley is there. Jimmy Butler is trying to sink that ship. That ship is not going to sink. I’m all with Pat Riley. You’re under contract; you play under this contract and we see where the ships may fall.

“And then you opt into $52 million dollars next year that you say you’re not going to opt into, which is mind boggling to me. How are you going to opt out of $52 million dollars?”

Hardaway sees a broader psychological reason behind Butler lashing out.

“It’s all about authority saying no to somebody,” Hardaway said. “And these guys can’t take rejection. That’s what it’s all about. It’s about accountability.

“If you can’t take rejection because [everyone] has been saying,’ yes, yes, yes’ to you, now you’re upset and the world is coming to an end. ‘Oh, I can’t play because he’s not giving me the money!’ No. Go out and damn play. You’re under contract. Go ahead and play.”

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 6. According to a source, the Heat would be fine keeping Butler through the end of the season, and dealing with the matter this summer, if it isn’t presented with an appealing trade offer.

Fire update

Amid California wildfires, the NBA has told the Heat nothing to suggest that Monday’s game at the Clippers or Wednesday’s game at the Lakers will be postponed. As a result, the Heat plans to fly to Los Angeles after Saturday night’s game in Portland and anticipates playing at the Clippers, unless they’re told otherwise.

The NBA postponed Lakers and Clippers games on Saturday because of the wildfires, which have destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with anybody managing the devastation,” Spoelstra said. “I can’t even imagine having an entire community gone. You leave and come back and it’s gone. So many people are affected by that. The game, if we can provide some inspiration and entertainment for the city, then that’s our obligation.”

Asked about the air quality in Los Angeles, two Heat players expressed concern.

“I think it’s dangerous for us to go there if that’s how bad it is,” Tyler Herro said. “Prayers [to everyone involved]. It’s tragic. The NBA doesn’t stop as we all know. We are expected to be there but kind of playing it by ear.”

Jaime Jaquez Jr., who grew up in Southern California, said air quality is a concern but “if we can play a game, we are definitely going to try to play a game.”

With fires reportedly getting closer to the UCLA campus where he attended school, Jaquez said: “It’s scary, to see our beautiful campus being in danger. It’s something you never thought could happen. It’s something I’ve seen in college. I’ve seen the fires throughout the hills and the mountains near the 405. Me living there and being through that, you kind of learn whatever way the wind blows, figuratively and literally. Praying for everybody down there. And huge shutout for all the firefights.”

News note

Heat forward Kevin Love rejoined the Heat after being away a game for personal reasons.