NOVEMBER 28: The new contract is official, the Heat announced on Twitter.
“It’s great to have UD back,” team president Pat Riley said. “His role is so critical for our team. Besides being able to still play, UD keeps everyone together in the locker room and on the road, teaching and mentoring.” (Twitter link from Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald)
NOVEMBER 20: The Heat have agreed to a new deal with veteran big man Udonis Haslem, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press tweets. Haslem will officially return for an 18th consecutive season with the team.
Haslem, 40, committed to re-signing with the Heat earlier this month, bypassing potential retirement. He’s won three championships during his time with Miami (2005-06, 2011-12 and 2012-13), transitioning into a veteran role with the club this the past decade.
Several Heat players have raved about Haslem’s impact in the locker room as the team’s captain, particularly during the club’s impressive postseason run in Orlando. Miami was expected to explore its options and keep Haslem around in some capacity — even if he did choose to retire. On the court, he’s only appeared in 44 regular-season games since the 2016-17 campaign.
In addition to Haslem, the Heat also managed to strike deals with free agents Goran Dragic and Meyers Leonard early in free agency. The team still has Jae Crowder, Derrick Jones Jr. and Solomon Hill on the open market, with Crowder starting in the playoffs and the latter two seeing inconsistent time.
Lol would love to have listened in on these negotiations
“are you sure you don’t just want to be a coach?”
I just want them to let him play in certain matchups for once this year. I’ve been saying the same thing for like 4 years now. UD is still their best post defender, and he is in insane shape. He looks almost like he did in 2008. Regardless, its obviously great to make sure the heartbeat of the organization stays around
You’re either haslem or his agent lol
or someone that values winning players
Yes, because Haslem was a primary reason Miami 3 rings.
rofl you’re literally just a troll…
UD is significantly responsible for the 1st ring, was a big contributor to the 2nd ring, and had a couple of big games during the playoffs on the way to the 3rd ring…But that isnt all that personifies him. Its just all that really needs to be said
Why do they keep wasting a roster spot?
Maybe he has compromising photos of Reilly. I could see Pat with some bizarre skeletons in his closet (this is not substantiated in any way, my own speculation).
Haslem might have one of the best jobs in America. Being an NBA player in general is great, but Haslem doesn’t have to actually play basketball. He can sit there and stare off into space for 80% of the games and when he does squeak into a game here and there, it’s a blow out and full garbage time. He should milk this gig until he’s 50.
Heat are paying back for the years he played for a hometown discount.
Doesn’t surprise me
Haslem was solid for them. He can guard any 3. Just a good two way player and teammate. Heat are playing back. Can you blame them. Picked up a great pick in draft. I thought they let Leonard go. And sign a rim protector. I would still try and sign Howard. Why not
Doesn’t Howard sign in Philly?
just retire already please! either the Heat don’t wanna pay anybody else or they taken this Heat Culture ish too far this man should have left when Wade did
The team that played in the NBA Finals has taken their culture too far?
Haslem criticized George Hill and the Bucks for their strike, saying they were being “selfish.” What a guy! What a great vet presence! Heat Culture indeed.
UD criticized Hill for saying everyone should go home and not play and specifically said that was selfish of Hill, a veteran who’s made his wealth, to say that to a rookie, or worse, UDFA who hasn’t made s**t to go home and not play/get paid.
THAT was his reason for criticism.
Another example of great Heat culture. Excellent Vet presence indeed.
Exactly. Go home, forget about a few weeks of pay which isn’t going to break a UDFA’s wallet, and actually do some good in the community. How is it selfish to put rampant police violence against black people ahead of basketball?
Haslem needed to zip his mouth. What an ignorant comment and such bad optics for the league. A rookie’s salary is not as important as Jacob Blake’s life.
Meanwhile Hill literally went to Milwaukee in October and went door to door signing people up to vote. Not selfish in the slightest and won the freaking NBA Community Assist award. What has Haslem done?
Heat Culture: worry more about basketball than the epidemic of racism.
Vet presence: defend pro athletes from another pro athlete suggesting they stop playing to actually address racism.
Lost a LOT of respect for Haslem in the bubble.
Someone like Riley should find the guts to tell Ud to leave. Been real. 40 is a nice round number. He’s developing a flatlining look based in his minutes. I agree that a couple years back, he should have played more, but it’s all habit now.
BTW UD in sports means Dayton.
Riley has the guts to keep his word and paying UD back, year after years after year, for UD taking huge pay cuts during the Big 3 era.
Another great example of Heat culture.
I understand the locker room presence and what he brings in culture but that money would’ve been much better spent elsewhere.
Thought Dwight Howard would’ve been a solid vet back up for Adebayo and also would suit that culture.
in zero way does UD preclude them from signing another big like Dwight
I see the trolls who know nothing about UD’s role in the Heat Culture are making dumb ash comments on here.
Haslem has been a leader and a community hero as one of our local guys. It may be Wade County and LeBron once brought his talents to South Beach, but Haslem is Mr. 305 and a Heat Lifer.
Then he should retire and become an assistant coach, and stop selfishly taking up a roster spot.