Depending on whether or not the NBA resumes the 2019/20 season, it could represent the end of the line for longtime Heat veteran Udonis Haslem. The 39-year-old has served as a team leader in recent years, appearing in just 43 games over the last four seasons.
Since 2003, Haslem has been a mainstay in South Beach, helping Miami win several championships while also working with young Heat players on the rise. It could all be over, but Haslem has not weighed the possibility of retirement just yet.
“Yeah, I mean, everybody, obviously, it comes to mind,” Haslem said during a conference call on Friday, per Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. “For me, I’m still maintaining hope that we can salvage some of the basketball season. So I haven’t gotten to that point yet. And in the midst of all this, there is a lot going on.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has put the entire world in a standstill, including that of professional sports. Haslem recently published a strong Players’ Tribune writeup urging people to take the coronavirus spread seriously by practicing social distancing.
“I’m seeing people starting to make the move, and starting to impact,” he said. “I’m sure it wasn’t just my letter. I’m sure a lot people had ideas in mind about what they wanted to do and how they wanted to do it. I’m just seeing everybody coming together.”
It’s been clear that Haslem is valued as a veteran leader for a young Heat team that – before the season’s suspension – was among the best in the Eastern Conference. As the league remains hopeful to resume the campaign, Haslem admitted that thinking about the game is challenging.
“Right now, there are bigger things going on than basketball,” Haslem said. “So it’s really kind of hard to focus on basketball.”
I think the biggest reason Miami keeps Haslem around is because they haven’t had a huge need for that 15th spot on the roster. Haslem probably still enjoys the grind and Riley, Spo, and others truly value having him around. I think UH looks forward to any minutes he does see, but is more than comfortable collecting his paycheck, which is probably more than an assistant coach, and being apart of the team.
Expensive assistant coach and bench warmer.
Why would he retire and not get paid to do something he would do for FREE?
If Mickey Arison is cool with paying a bench coach $3M a year, great.
He should at least have enough respect to let team know before the draft if he is staying or not.
The drag it out till Mid to Late August is a little bit disrespectful.
Certainly a great person to have around the locker room.
If I were getting paid millions for doing nothing I wouldn’t think about retiring either.
Providing as much to a championship run as Juwan Howard did. Still remember him getting into the game with like 1:30 left and missing point blank shot after point blank shot.
He is already retired, right? Just ain’t telling the team so they keep on paying him!!!
UH really really over values himself. Just because Bron and Wade like you and your in like your 20 season doesn’t mean your the man.
I remember reading somewhere this dude wants a farewell tour like Carter or Wade. Dude your not their.
Hasn’t done anything pod in like 5 years, Everton thinks you’re retired
man he been done, just leave already so somebody else can have that roster spot