Miami Heat small forward Jimmy Butler wanted the back of his jersey blank to show solidarity.
That idea, though, is reportedly under review by the NBA.
On Monday during his media session, Butler told reporters that it's “to be decided” what he will do instead. However, the Heat star is hoping the league changes its mind.
Butler, more on preferring a blank jersey, "I'm hoping they come back and see the message I want to get out there. . . . I'll keep pressing for it."
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) July 21, 2020
Jimmy Butler says he's still hoping the league will allow him to wear a blank nameplate on the back of his jersey in the bubble. If they don't allow that?
"To be determined."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) July 21, 2020
Over 30 players have requested a blank nameplate on their jerseys, per Yahoo Sports' Vincent Goodwill. The NBA put together a curated list of social justice messages that players could wear on their jerseys down in Orlando, but the list was not expansive enough.
Some of the biggest names in the NBA such as LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid have already said they won't have a social justice message. It's clear guys are upset the league limited them in terms of what they could write.
Butler is averaging 20.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Heat this season. Miami won 41 games before the season was suspended in March, which means they have already qualified for the 2020 playoffs.
The Heat will use the eight seeding games which start on July 30 to build momentum for the postseason and knock off the rust that was created after such a long layoff.
Since entering the NBA in 2011 with the Chicago Bulls, Jimmy Butler has compiled postseason averages of 17.3 points, 5.5 boards and 3.4 assists in 38 games with the Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers.
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