The Heat and Udonis Haslem had been close on a deal for a while.
It’s finally done.
Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press:
It's done. Udonis Haslem and the Miami Heat have agreed on a $2.4 million deal to bring him back for his 16th season, AP is told.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) September 6, 2018
(And there's one spot left on the roster. For you know who.) pic.twitter.com/FVUoBv3Wch
Heat president Pat Riley predicted Miami would re-sign Haslem and Dwyane Wade. Does this indicate Riley will be right about Wade, too? It seems likely, but it’s far from official.
Wade is the big name, but Haslem provides plenty of nostalgia, too. He has spent his entire career with the Heat and started on three championship teams.
Haslem will earn $2,393,887 next season. The Heat will pay and be taxed at $1,512,601, the NBA covering the rest because he’s a veteran on a one-year, minimum contract.
At 38, Haslem probably won’t play much. He’s been a deep reserve the last two seasons.
But it isn’t about that. Miami cares about its organizational culture and allowing Haslem to play as long as he wants helps sustain that culture.
