The Heat have a standing offer out to veteran big man Udonis Haslem, which means it’s up to the 42-year-old if he wants to return next season, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel confirms in his latest “Ask Ira” mailbag.
Haslem has played fewer than 20 games in each of his past six seasons, but he plays an immense role in developing the team’s young players. He’s also served as a locker room leader, owning 19 years of NBA experience and winning three championships. He’s previously stated he has no interest in coaching.
Within the same article, Winderman also considered Duncan Robinson‘s status as a trade candidate, suggesting that Miami is unlikely to move Robinson for only a modest upgrade. With Robinson set to make $17MM this season, the Heat would likely need him for salary-matching purposes in order to acquire an impact player, so the club will be patient as it explores the trade market.
Here are some other notes from the Eastern Conference:
- In a story for The Athletic, Josh Robbins projects the Wizards‘ rotation, depth chart and position battles ahead of the season. It’s reasonable to assume Monte Morris, Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis will start for Washington next season, but the other two starting spots may be up more up for grabs. Robbins, unsurprisingly, believes Will Barton and Kyle Kuzma are the current frontrunners to start alongside the trio.
- James L. Edwards III of The Athletic examines a number of Pistons-related topics in his mailbag, including what Killian Hayes needs to show the team this season and which players could be in danger to due to Detroit’s roster crunch. Edwards believes Saben Lee and Rodney McGruder could end up battling for the 15th roster spot.
- The Pacers wanted to keep Duane Washington Jr. for training camp, according to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files, but apparently weren’t willing to offer him a two-way contract. Washington was seeking a better opportunity and ultimately signed a two-way deal with the Suns. He spent time with the Pacers on a two-way deal last season, earning a standard contract in April before getting waived earlier this month.
In the Philly Miami playoff series Duncan Robinson played a total of 17 minutes, unless he is hitting 40% of his threes his contract is as much of an albatross as Westbrook’s, I find it baffling that he is reported as a trade candidate, duh, no one has any interest in a 1 dimensional non playoff 17 million a year player
You could not be more wrong if you tried.
I’ve had this same conversation with a colleague who is a Heat fan; what is the point of Haslem remaining on the roster? Granted he’s literally at the end of the bench, but wouldn’t the NBPA rather see the Heat take a flyer on someone undrafted, or promote a 2-way player instead? The Heat are never going to play him, unless it is a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ scenario.
Dude has had a nice career for the Heat, but he could easily become a special assistant or something to Spo. Given the Heat’s player development history, they’re doing themselves a disservice.
Wouldn’t fix what isn’t broken, something is clearly working v well in their development system. I see your point but it also makes more minutes to develop those guys and there’s enough spots. Hell of a lot easier to listen to essentially a coach who gets on the floor still and sees the game the way you should.
The Heat’s development system and track record of success speak for themselves, I think. And I can only assume Haslem is a worthwhile part of that, even if that might seem a little hard to believe in the context of wasting a roster spot.
Although my preference would be to sign a contract to NOT PLAY for the Heat, I’m sure I could muddle through making an appearance in 20 games or fewer in the upcoming season.
Haslem plays so little, yet is a great influence on the younger members of the team… Why not just make him a coach?
The current Heat team is full of great veterans and no longer is in need of Heat legend Haslem in the locker room. Haslem has had a great Heat career and great influence in the locker room and on the bench, but this is getting rediculous. Butler, Lowry, etc dont need pep talk from him anymore. It’s almost got to the point where he is no more than just Spo’s voice or spy rather than one of the players own. Time to turn the page and give Haslem another position in the organization.
Wizards cannot start both Barton and Morris. Nobody in that lineup would be playing defense. Either Rui or Deni should start.
Rui struggles on Def. Deni is a much better defender.
Rofl I knew there would be the same haters in here that cant get away from criticizing UD and telling him what to do with his life