AUGUST 15: The Heat have officially re-signed Haslem, the team announced today (via Twitter).
AUGUST 11: Veteran big man Udonis Haslem will return for another season with the Heat, according to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel, who says that an official announcement from the team is expected soon. It will be Haslem’s 19th season with the franchise.
A regular rotation player in Miami when the team won championships in 2006, 2012, and 2013, Haslem hasn’t appeared in more than 16 games or logged more than 130 minutes in a single season since 2015/16.
In 2020/21, he played just once, earning a cameo during the final week of the regular season. He memorably earned an ejection for a dust-up with Dwight Howard just three minutes after checking into the game.
Despite the fact that he no longer sees much action for the Heat, Haslem is a well-respected locker room presence who essentially has a standing invitation to continue signing minimum-salary contracts with the club until he decides to retire.
That day hasn’t arrived yet. The 41-year-old will spend at least one more season in the NBA and, as Winderman points out, will become the 21st player in NBA history to play in 19 seasons as long as he appears in at least one game for the Heat in 2021/22.
Once Haslem officially signs his deal, the Heat will have 14 players on guaranteed contracts. Miami could perhaps use another guard or wing, but a 15th man would put team salary over the tax line, so it’s unclear if the club intends to fill that spot, tweets Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald.
The Heat do have a pair of open two-way slots, which will likely be filled by undrafted free agents who impress the team in Summer League and training camp.
Curious to what the benefit is of keeping him on the active roster versus just hiring him as a player development coach and having that extra roster space
Big difference between coach and player
Not that big if he never plays, except that one game for 2 minutes.
Nobody would take him at vet minimum he is just the Miami heat mascot LOL
Actually there’s not a ton… Before UD the Heat did this with Juwan Howard for a couple of years… he stopped being “player coach” and just a coach and nothing seemed to change about his role other than his roster spot.
The difference is that, when there is a need to have a coach on the court instructing, a player on the active roster can do it for a couple of minutes, while Spo has to remain on the sideline.
People seem to not get that. With UD, the Heat always have the option to send him onto the court to coach in a hands on manner.
He appeared once all season – it’s a pointless deal
Heat Culture. Nuff said.
Marlins, that option is never used. Also Spoelstra can shout. I think I get that.
The respect he gets from players changes with that. Here he can lead by example which I think is the Heats main goal with doing this the past couple years
I’d imagine as a player, his teammates will look at him more as that older brother that’s fighting the same battles that they’re fighting.
As a coach, I would imagine new additions to the roster (i.e. anyone who wasn’t on the Heat last year or haven’t played with him in the past) will probably see him as a coach.
He’s also just their energy guy, even if he doesn’t come off the bench. That energy isn’t the same if its coming from a coach as opposed to a teammate.
The difference is that as a player he’s “one of us” and the coaches are one of “them.” It’s like employees and management. Management can explain something to me and I will not take it the same way as if a fellow co-worker explains it to me.
There is a different angle to it when a teammate goes over something with me as opposed to the coaching staff. The coaching staff is not out there in the trenches with us but a teammate is. Whether it’s practice or games he’s still one of us and has a different effect.
That’s how I see it even though Haslam doesn’t play much he still has the uniform on and he still runs on the court in practice instead of just standing on the sidelines with a clipboard.
Who’s UD have pictures of?
Rather have a young guy in his spot. I doubt he even plays.
The Heat just signed a close friend of James Naismith. Udonis is definitely a sho-in for the Hall now.
Why would he go to the Hof c’mon bro
he wont be in Springfield.. but the Heat will retire his number.. he’s probably the most beloved player in franchise history.. even more than Wade.
I was making a joke about Udonis’s age. Naismith created basketball. Probably been dead for 100 years.
Lol
im well aware… but stand 100% behind what I said
Contract up to 50 years
To all the people saying “he won’t play, should just sign a young guy” there’s a reason you only build teams on 2k. This is a guy who provides leadership and guidance to all the young players. Works his tail off every day in practice and sets the tone for the entire team. ALL teams should have a veteran like this.
This. Every championship contender has some sort of veteran player who provides energy and keeps egos in check. Some are guys who continue to play regular minutes (like PJ Tucker) and some are guys who sit at the bench and rarely see the court (Haslem and Jared Dudley).
To anyone saying “fill his spot with a young player”…if there was a young player that was legitimately worth the roster spot and the Heat wanted to get playing time to, then they would find a way. In all likelihood, even if Haslem hung up his jersey and became a coach, the Heat would likely fill the spot with some older vet to fill out the depth chart or some young player who will barely touch the court and would probably be the first guy cut next offseason when roster spots are needed for the draft and free agency. They’re not going to be filling Haslem’s spot with a guy who is going to be a regular contributor off the bench regardless of how old or young they are.
Yes I agree. Sort of the liaison between management and players. Maybe a mediator as well who can take a young guy aside and the rookie will listen because this veteran player knows what it’s like on the court.
I guess for the same reason ex players are often very effective coaches because they’ve experienced what they’re talking about instead of just have the knowledge of it.
Death, taxes, Udonis Haslam re-signing with the Heat.
man I wish he would just become a coach or retire or something like wasn’t he supposed to retire 2 years ago like damn the Heat need to give someone else who deserves that spot a chance they must don’t want to give a younger player a roster spot they just giving his ass the vet min it’s getting to a point to where it’s corny & weird
Why does it bother you so much that they keep him around? Seriously man, you need help.
I love UD… I want the Heat to retire #40…. but come on man… if you want to keep going.. be a coach. Do everything you’re doing without taking a roster spot anymore. I have no idea why he says he doesn’t want to be a coach but basically is a coach in uniform.
Some people just don’t want to admit that Father Time has caught them. I can’t blame Haslem for his continuing to sign as long as the Heat keep offering the deals. Would you turn down that money to basically sit in a chair and watch games instead of having to actually work as a coach?
Oh… he knows he’s too old for the NBA… but he also knows his value to the franchise and the players on the team. He has said over and over he doesn’t want to be a coach.. so he’s been a coach in uniform for 5 years and counting instead lol. I guess 2.5 mill does beat 500k or whatever a coach makes.
Plus if he is a coach, there is accountability. As a player, it’s not his fault if the guys don’t win. He gets paid more and has less responsibility. Who wouldn’t want that deal?
With the new two-way deals he’s really not taking a young guy’s spot.
It’s funny that many rant about Haslem receiving a contract year after year – yet more than a few times, I’ve heard CLNS media stakeholders wanting someone like Haslem for the CELTICS …….. someone the young players know has been-there, done-that and to keep them in check.
CLNS media stakeholders? Kinda vague there dude.
every team wants a UD type glue guy and mentor.. they just want them to be 35 and average 10ppg… not 41 and playing 3 minutes a season lol
As great of a leader and Heat icon he is, the team should not have signed him again. A lot of players dont listen to him as much. He should have just become an assistant coach or adviser instead.
You know players “don’t listen to him as much” based off of… ?
If I were a heat fan, I’d be annoyed. If they are so good at finding these hidden gems, why would you waste a roster spot on UD? Just hire the dang man as a special assistant.
the only player they had to sacrifice to fit in Nunn and Robinson was Rodney McGruder.. even with UD the Heat always leave the 15th spot open “just in case”… its how they roll.
Hilarious. Keep going. I want to see Haslem break the record for oldest player. He got paid $1 million a minute last year. I love the old man at the end of the bench. Reminds me of the Knicks with Herb Williams. Play on, Udonis.
Omer Yurtseven have you seen him in SL for Heat. Don’t know how Heat always find these late blooming centers. He could definitely take that 15th man spot. Guy looks good,’only 23.
Agreed. They signed him to a 2 year deal almost a week ago though. He’ll definitely get a chance.
He does look good.. but for context … the 2010 summer league MVP was Dexter Pittman
Turk Nowitski…He has some habits that need to be worked out though, with fouling, and lazy moments offensively with telegraphing lazy passes or not making a quick enough decision with the ball in the post
WTF lol this dude is milking them riding the bench. couldnt they have resigned Nunn or even signed a good cheap player for the same amount
um no… it’s a vet minimum deal.. literally the lowest possible contract for a player at his age.
Let’s goooooo! Wouldnt be the same without UD, and no matter what, he deserves to go out in front of a full crowd that can give him the appreciation he deserves. I just wish they let him play more in certain matchups. Haters hate for whatever reasons, but Udonis Haslem is the heartbeat of the Miami Heat
I actually thought him playing 3 minutes.. looking like prime UD with a few rebounds and 12 footers, then getting into a fist fight with Dwight Howard and being thrown out was the PERFECT way for UD to go go… that’s storybook stuff for him lol.
He always looks like prime UD when he gets on the floor. That’s what people dont get. He left 10s of millions of dollars on the table multiple times to stay with the Heat. He also exemplifies Miami Heat culture more than anyone else, and when he does play, he still looks like 2008 UD b/c he maniacally trains every day, and is in insane shape. He is still their best post defender. Whenever there are moments where guys arent doing what they’re supposed to be doing, he can be thrown in to that situation and demonstrate first hand. I’m cool with him on the roster as long as he wants. If anything, I wish they used him a lot more in certain matchups, and I’ll continue to say the same thing until something shows me something different, which it hasnt. Also, imagine so many people telling someone how to live their life. That’s something brought on by the sickness that is social media
Are you nuts? I’ve watched probably every minute he’s played the last 3-4 years… he’s brick city and looks gassed after 60 seconds most of the time. Wade kept forcing things to him in his final game.. and over and over UD would brick a shot or take an insane 3 (still had the best game in 5 years though lol)…. those 3 minutes against the 76ers last year brought back UD with Dreds memories for me.
The jumpshot wasnt falling in those moments, but he also didnt have many touches in a while to get in rhythm. Also, obviously not this most recent season, but the season before, he was a big part of helping them make a comeback in a game they were down close to 20 before halftime…if all you care about is scoring, then I can see why people have the opinion they do…anyway, I’m tired of having this conversation with people. If he wasnt capable of contributing the way they need him to, he wouldnt be there anymore. That’s probably the biggest reason I want him to get minutes in certain matchups, just to shut people up.
He doesn’t contribute on the court.. if that’s all they based his signing on.. he wouldn’t have a roster spot. There’s a reason he only played 3 minutes in the final game of the season.. whether you want to accept it or not. He has a roster spot because of his practice bulldog mentality and mentorship to the younger players.
I trust that the Heat organization does enough charity work to offset just giving this man A MILLION DOLLARS+ for being a calming presence.
It’s actually $2,641,691… but who’s counting lol
Keep cashing them checks.
18 years with one team has to be a record, yeah?
There may be others but off the top of my head, Stockton had 19 seasons with the Jazz.
Dirk’s 21 with Dallas is the record. Kobe had 20 with the Lakers. Stockton (Jazz) and Duncan (Spurs) had 19 each with their respective teams.
Can’t wait to see UD go for another cheap shot. That’s what they pay him for. He’s their version of Dahntay Jones.
I started to count all the dudes that signed for the Vet min that I’d rather take over UD and then I said, it would be faster to count the players I wouldn’t take over him. As much as I think Neto is trash, he’s better than UD. Even Solomon Hill and Dekker are better.
LOL are you drunk? Howard deserved a beating in that game.. he’s not on your team anymore.. you can take the homer glasses off and see him attacking others before even getting into it with UD. There’s a reason Howard “has a reputation”.. while UD is one of the most respected players in NBA history.
Let the hate flow through you…social media is a sickness, and this is just an example of that
Miami can use a roster spot for him if they want to. They don’t owe any kid any spot.
Heat culture lol. This means for the Heat there will be a plantation foreman type even in players-only meetings. No need for the coaching staff to be so burdened with badassedness… although I see it already has Caron Butler… A Caron-Udonis fight would be something!
What is this, 2010.
Caron and UD were teammates in 2003 lol
This is more Pat Riley ego bull crap. PJ Tucker starting? Not going to end well this season for Udonis and his Heat. With all due respect
Should I send you a fax only saying “You’re wrong” to respond to that naive post? lol