More Rumors in this Storyline

1 month ago – via Twitter flasportsbuzz

Udonis Haslem unsure if he's returning next season, could retire

Barry Jackson: Udonis Haslem unsure if returning next season. “I will take my time and sit down the family, Pat, Micky and talk about what’s next and where it goes. Now is time to take a mental break and figure it out.”

11 months ago – via Ira Winderman @ South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Wade late last season bought into the Utah Jazz’s new ownership group. For Haslem, there is only one logical place for such a pursuit of his own, having earned in excess of $65 million over his career. The latest Forbes valuation of the Heat is $2 billion, which would put a one-percent ownership stake at $20 million. “What better place to do it than in my city? It’s genuine. It’s real,” he said. “I can still move the needle around this NBA. I have some many relationships with so many NBA players, just because I am the OG. So they value my opinion.”

11 months ago – via Ira Winderman @ South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Heat have made it clear that Haslem will be allowed to retire on his terms, whenever he so chooses. Haslem, who lives in Southwest Ranches, has maintained a high-profile corporate and civic presence in Miami, where he was raised and attended high school not far from FTX Arena.

1 year ago – via Twitter Anthony_Chiang

Anthony Chiang: Udonis Haslem said a decision on his NBA future will come later this summer. He turns 41 on June 9.

1 year ago – via Tim Bontemps @ ESPN

Erik Spoelstra wants Udonis Haslem back next season

Spoelstra, for his part, said he hopes Haslem will be back yet again next season. “A little bit,” Spoelstra said, when asked if he has lobbied for Haslem to come back next season. “It’s not like I’ve been openly recruiting him, but I just continue to tell him, like, ‘We don’t have to make any kind of decision now. Let’s kick this down the road.’ Everybody knows in this building, but most importantly in that locker room, the level of impact that he has. That’s developing leaders in that locker room, and helping teach and cultivate a culture that means something to us. It’s not him just barking that out; it’s rolling up his sleeves and developing the next wave of leaders in the Heat culture, and I just think that’s been amazing.

1 year ago – via Twitter ByTimReynolds

Tim Reynolds: Udonis: “If this is the last one, I finished it the only way Udonis Haslem could — with an ejection.” Was that a hint? “I said if, Tim. If.”

1 year ago – via Twitter IraHeatBeat

Ira Winderman: Udonis Haslem, on his playing future, “Man, I just take it one day at a time. And we’ll figure it out.” Said decision on 2021-22 would come in the summer.

1 year ago – via Twitter IraHeatBeat

Ira Winderman: Udonis Haslem says he is confident that Erik Spoelstra will find minutes for him for this to officially count as his 18th season. Says as long as he gets in for five seconds, he’ll get his 10 rebounds. He has yet to play this season.

2 years ago – via Sean Deveney @ Forbes.com

It could be this year, he conceded, but a bubble retirement does not quite feel right. “It’s hard to tell you what’s going to happen tomorrow in the bubble,” Haslem said. “So I can’t really get that far yet, I am trying to see if I can get these guys to a championship and we’ll move on from there. Ideally, you talk about having an opportunity to retire, retirement speeches, family and friends involved, right now COVID takes all that away. It is hard to make that decision right now.”

2 years ago – via Sean Deveney @ Forbes.com

Certainly, if things do not change around COVID-19 in the coming months, a potential Haslem retirement might look particularly strange. “I’ll be doing retirement on a Zoom call,” he said, laughing. “You’ve got to retire on Zoom in today’s society.”

2 years ago – via Miami Herald

Udonis Haslem not retiring?

This year, your decision isn’t going to come in the summer. It’s probably going to come in the fall. Udonis Haslem: “You’re right. It’s going to be a while. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I won’t force myself to even think about that until I have time to step away and really think about it wholeheartedly and fully.”

2 years ago – via Miami Herald

Has the extra alone time in the bubble allowed you to think about the decision you’ll face at the end of the season? Udonis Haslem: “Its like, how do you do a retirement in a situation like this? Do I do a Zoom call and just have everybody sign in? So it’s just something to think about. But right now, I’m just focused on driving this boat. Like my boy D-Wade told me, ‘Just play out every season and take your time and figure it out in the summer time. You earned that.’ So I’m going to play out the season and I’m going to figure it out in the summer time. I earned that. That’s how I’m going to do it every year. I used to worry myself toward the end of every year. ‘OK, what am I going to do? It’s getting close toward the end.’ I’m not doing that to myself no more.”

2 years ago – via Miami Herald

Udonis Haslem: As long as I can continue to have that effect, I’m going to continue to drive these guys. Because I know there are times guys wanted to quit or guys wanted to shut it down or guys have been mentally or physically exhausted or messed up in the head, and I’ve made a call or I’ve pulled them to the side or I went to his room or we went to dinner or we just hung out. And then I see a completely new person, and I’ve seen that translate into wins for us as a team. So as long as I can continue to do things like that for us, man, I know there’s a need for me to continue to drive this and help these guys. That’s what it’s all about. I don’t have to do it the way coaches do it. I don’t have to do it the way that society thinks I should do it. I’m going to do it the way I want to do it.”

2 years ago – via Miami Herald

Udonis Haslem still undecided about retirement

Haslem, 39, reiterated that he’s still undecided on whether to retire or continue his playing career at the end of this season. And yes, the fact that this season has been suspended and is in limbo could factor into his decision. “It’s hard to really say now because all the things that I really wanted at the end have been taken away from me,” said Haslem, who is in his 17th NBA season. “You want to walk away on your own terms, that has been taken away. You want an opportunity for the people that have loved and supported you and sacrificed so much for you to be here in this time of your career, that has been taken away. And you want to have something connected with the organization when you walk away.”

2 years ago – via Miami Herald

Udonis Haslem: “Me and the Miami Heat will always be connected, that hasn’t been taken away. But I wanted to have the opportunity to sit down and plan something with them. I’ll never have something close to like what Dwyane had. But the organization and myself deserve to have one particular night when we have a situation collectively to represent one another and do it the right away.”

2 years ago – via Shandel Richardson @ Sports Illustrated

This is supposedly his farewell before retiring after 17 seasons in the NBA. The circumstances haven’t allowed it to enter his mind, especially the past two weeks. The league has been suspended since March 11 because the coronavirus outbreak, so Haslem’s finale has been put on hold. “Yeah, I mean, everybody, obviously, it comes to mind,” Haslem said on a conference call Friday. “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. So I’m focused on a lot of different things right now that are keeping me occupied, as far as not really thinking about what’s going to happen as far as my last basketball game.”

2 years ago – via Twitter flasportsbuzz

Barry Jackson: In conference call with reporters, Udonis Haslem just said it has come to mind that the Charlotte game might be his last NBA game “but I haven’t gotten to that point mentally yet” because he’s hopeful season can be salvaged.

2 years ago – via Twitter Anthony_Chiang

Anthony Chiang: On conference call with reporters, Udonis Haslem said he’s not interested in getting into politics after his playing career: “No way, no how.” Instead, Haslem will continue to help the South Florida community in other ways.

2 years ago – via Miami Herald

Dwyane Wade’s weekend had Udonis Haslem thinking about his eventual retirement party. “I’m going to have Dwyane help me plan my retirement after that, for sure,” Haslem said with a smile following the Heat’s Monday morning shootaround at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. “I’ll definitely reach out to him for some advice on what to do with mine.”

2 years ago – via Miami Herald

While the expectation was that this would be Haslem’s final NBA season, he cautions against making such an assumption. Haslem, 39, is in his 17th NBA season. Asked if he’s certain this will be his final season, Haslem indicated he’s not. “I can’t say,” Haslem said earlier this month. “The guys want me around. Bam [Adebayo] tells me every day, ‘I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do when you retire.’ Jimmy [Butler] always has me around. We’ll see. My kids are getting older. We’ll see.”

2 years ago – via Ira Winderman @ South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The way Haslem looks at it, he likely will then need additional time when his No. 40 makes it to the rafters at AmericanAirlines Arena, considering his roots and lifelong ties in South Florida. “I haven’t even thought about it,” he said, with this expected to be his final season. “I just saw that he got two or three days. Mine’s going to be parties in a lot of different areas of Miami when I retire.”

2 years ago – via Ira Winderman @ South Florida Sun-Sentinel

“I talk to Dwyane every day,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like he’s retired at all, to me. The only time I feel like he’s retired is when I see him doing all kinds of fun stuff on the days when I’m just leaving practice. “But besides that, I haven’t thought much about how I would do my situation, or have anything similar.”

2 years ago – via Ira Winderman @ South Florida Sun-Sentinel

In the wake of the formal announcement that Dwyane Wade’s jersey retirement would span a weekend, Heat forward Udonis Haslem said he likely will need a week for his eventual moment. “I mean, mine’s going to go forever, because I’m from there,” Haslem said as the Heat’s three-game trip wound to Sunday’s conclusion against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

3 years ago – via Twitter flasportsbuzz

Barry Jackson: Haslem said there was no agreement among, himself, Pat Riley and Nick Arison about this being his last season. Not saying if this will be last season. But said he needs to be better in his role, not let things slide that happened last yr

3 years ago – via Twitter IraHeatBeat

Ira Winderman: Udonis Haslem non-committal if this will be his final season. Says it could be if teammates make this a final season to remember.

3 years ago – via Instagram

Udonis Haslem: I’ve never been the one to listen to outside noise. Key word is listen. Doesn’t mean I don’t hear. See the thing most average minded people don’t get is if I let your expectations of me define me then I wouldn’t be here today. Problem is majority of this world is average ASF!! Nobody ever expected shit from a young fat kid from liberty city. Hell why would they? But I’m thankful they didn’t. I guess I shouldn’t own Subways, and Einstein, and Auntie Ann’s, and Starbucks, and 800 Degrees Woodfire kitchens either huh? What I’ve grown to realize in my life is that my obsession with success, my drive to overcome obstacles, and my overall work ethics is way higher than most. And I’m ok with that. It makes sense why most think I should retire at 39. Cause most would. Cause most are average minded. Most don’t look like this at 39! Hell they ain’t look like this at 19. Lol. So y’all keep worrying about the last spot on the roster while I sit back and stay ready so I don’t gotta get ready.

3 years ago – via Instagram

Udonis Haslem: I’m not saying I’m playing next year but if u with me then u will support whatever I do!! Not tell me what to do!! And if that ain’t good enough for u, in the words of Barbara Wooten [expletive] ya!! U was never wit me anyway!! Oh and one more thing. You out your 🐰 ass mind if you think I can’t still play this game. I’ll sleepwalk into a double double cause I’m just built different!! Y’all should know that by now but keep hating. I need y’all!! A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and if I’m the weak link that’s a hell of a [expletive] chain!!

3 years ago – via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

“When he left, we’re wide open,” Riley said. “We had a great conversation about a lot of things and what he feels and how he feels about whether he should play his career, about the city, about the team. “He told me that he’s not finished yet with these guys. He feels like he could do some more mentoring and that can be done in any capacity, whether he wants to play or it’s in another capacity.”

3 years ago – via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Riley said he believes Haslem “would be an exceptional coach.” “I think he’s of the same kind of character and the same kind of personality as Juwan,” he said.

3 years ago – via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Heat have filled Howard’s spot with the hiring of former Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Malik Allen, the former Heat player. Still, a vacancy from previous shuffling remains on Erik Spoelstra’s bench. But Riley recognized that Haslem also has created a rich life away from the court, with several South Florida enterprises, including an Aventura restaurant he operates with Wade. “He wants to buy pizza franchises and stuff,” Riley said. “There’s nothing wrong with that either.”

3 years ago – via Twitter ByTimReynolds

Tim Reynolds: Pat Riley says Udonis Haslem remains “wide open.” … “He told me that he’s not finished yet with these guys. He feels like he can do some more mentoring.” But Riles opens the notion that UD would “be an exceptional coach.”

3 years ago – via Twitter EthanJSkolnick

Ethan J. Skolnick: More from Pat Riley on @Udonis Haslem “I think he would be an exceptional coach. But he wants to buy pizza franchises.”

3 years ago – via Twitter ByTimReynolds

Tim Reynolds: Goran Dragic wants @Udonis Haslem back. “He means so much to this franchise and the most important thing is what he means to these young players.”

3 years ago – via Twitter flasportsbuzz

Barry Jackson: Haslem said he’s not leaning either way now about playing next year. Says “me and my wife have talked about it and a lot of people think I should take the time to be celebrated at some point…. That has some affect on the decision I make.”

3 years ago – via Twitter flasportsbuzz

Barry Jackson: Haslem: “I feel I still have a job to do. I don’t want to be sitting at home throwing stuff at the TV, cussing about certain things where we [should] know better.”

3 years ago – via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Asked if Wednesday might have been his final game, Haslem, who turns 39 in June, said, “It’s possible.” But not definite. “I’ll need three days to recover first, then I’ll have an answer,” he said.

3 years ago – via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Haslem said he still finds the experience rewarding, particularly savoring the jump shot that gave Wade the 10th assist needed for Wednesday’s career-ending triple-double. “I mean, it’s fun. It’s fun,” he said. “It’s like riding a bike. If I get my minutes, I’m going to do what I’m going to do. It’s fun.”

3 years ago – via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Coach Erik Spoelstra has lobbied for a Haslem return. “He sacrificed as much as anybody, obviously. But UD can still play. He still can. We see it all the time in practices,” Spoelstra said. “We have a bunch of young bigs that he’s really taken on ownership to mentor and to help develop and everything.”

3 years ago – via Twitter flasportsbuzz

Barry Jackson: Haslem said no discussion with Heat about presentation for him (along with Wade) next Tuesday since not sure about retirement.

3 years ago – via Twitter ByTimReynolds

Tim Reynolds: The deal on Udonis Haslem: While he DID say he was done, and then amended that to say 90 percent, the Heat – as we’ve said – want him back. His locker room value is enormous. It’s a one of a kind deal; they want him as a player, even without any real intention to play him.

3 years ago – via The Athletic

He is contemplating playing another season with the Heat instead of following close friend Dwyane Wade into retirement in a few months. “I’m not 100 percent sure I’m done,” Haslem said. “I know I said I had nothing else to prove. It’s coming close but, man, I still have so much to give. … We’ll see. I’m going to talk to (Heat CEO) Nick Arison and talk to the guys and just weigh my options. I’ve still got the fire to burn. I’ve still got something to contribute.”

3 years ago – via The Athletic

“People might not understand, but I get joy out of that,” Haslem said. “It helps these guys because it’s a win-win for everybody. I’m in the situation where I’m not a coach, but stuff like that helps me but also helps the guys. I’ve kind of got the best of both worlds. The only difference between me and D-Wade is he gets to play every night. He burns the candle. The contribution for me is more so in the background.”

3 years ago – via The Athletic

If Haslem decides to call it quits, he wants to remain around the organization in some capacity. He has spoken with former players like Michael Finley, who is now the vice president of basketball operations with the Mavericks. Haslem has no interest in holding a full-time position like that, but he would love a role that’s a good mix of front office and player. “I want to get a Tim Duncan role,” Haslem said. “I want to be able to come to practice and practice sometimes and work out with the guys. I want to be a jack of all trades, a Swiss Army knife. I’m always going to stay in shape.”

4 years ago – via Twitter flasportsbuzz

Barry Jackson: Haslem said he was joking when got on backboard and said “last stance”… He said he was NOT saying he’s retiring after this season. Hasn’t decided.

4 years ago – via Associated Press

Udonis Haslem returning to Heat

A person with knowledge of the negotiations said Haslem and the Heat have agreed on a one-year, $2.4 million contract that will keep him with his hometown team for a 16th season. The person spoke to The Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been signed, though that last detail is now merely a formality.

4 years ago – via Twitter ByTimReynolds

Tim Reynolds: Udonis Haslem and Miami Heat officials have had direct conversations in the last few days, with both sides now even more convinced that he will return to the team for a 16th season — as the Heat have hoped. Not finalized yet.

4 years ago – via Twitter Anthony_Chiang

Anthony Chiang: Pat Riley said there “absolutely” will be an offer to Udonis Haslem to return next season.

4 years ago – via Twitter IraHeatBeat

Ira Winderman: Udonis Haslem said he has yet to decide on whether to return next season. Says teammates want him back. Says he might play in China or overseas to see action.

4 years ago – via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Haslem, who turns 38 on June 9, reiterated that he couldn’t envision such a transition because it wouldn’t allow himself to be himself. “I don’t want to do coaching; the coaching is not for me,” he said. “Being in the locker room and being able to have that raw side where I can still be a player and I can still be brutally honest and I don’t have to be politically correct or play the political side of things, it gives me a little more leeway to communicate with my guys being a player, as opposed to a coach.”

4 years ago – via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Management, though, remains intriguing, as a bridge to making sure there is no divergence from culture that has transformed the franchise and allowed Haslem to share in three NBA championships. “It could possibly be something that intrigues me,” he said. “But more so than anything, I just want to be a part of the organization. We haven’t really defined a role or I haven’t defined a role. But I’m going to be a part of the organization. I’ve laid down a lot of groundwork, the roots.”

4 years ago – via Miami Herald

What about the idea of Haslem becoming an assistant coach? He has said that doesn’t interest him. But he said when he retires, he would have interest in a Heat front office job. Former Heat players Alonzo Mourning, Shane Battier and Keith Askins all have jobs within the organization.

4 years ago – via Miami Herald

For those who ask why the Heat uses a roster spot on Udonis Haslem, who played just 72 minutes in 14 games this season, Goran Dragic provided a revealing answer that explains his true value: “It’s really tough to explain to people outside what he means to this team,” Dragic said several days after the season ended. “Everybody is looking, ‘OK, he’s not playing’ but they don’t know how much he brings to this team, especially with his experience and leadership.

4 years ago – via Miami Herald

Goran Dragic on Udonis Haslem continued: “A lot of guys in this locker room need leadership like UD, especially Hassan [Whiteside]. I think UD can provide that. He’s there where usually some guys would not be, in the toughest moments, when you need something, he’s there. That’s why everybody loves him. I played with a lot of veteran guys who had successful careers — like UD, Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Amare Stoudemire — [and Haslem] is number one in my books as a player and a leader and a friend.”

4 years ago – via Palm Beach Post

Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem have an important decision to make this summer. Will they continue their playing careers or retire? That decision won’t be made days after the Heat’s season-ending loss in Philadelphia. With a long offseason ahead, the 36-year-old Wade and 37-year-old Haslem will take their time. “We haven’t really thought about it,” Haslem said Friday on exit interview day. “We’re both in situations where we have a lot of different opportunities ahead of us.

4 years ago – via Palm Beach Post

Udonis Haslem: “The most important thing for both of us right now is our family. We’ve sacrificed so much family time being a part of this. We’ve reaped the benefits. We’ve had so much success. We’ve broken records. We’ve enjoyed it. But family is the thing our minds are geared toward right now.”

4 years ago – via Palm Beach Post

Udonis Haslem: “When you are young, basketball is number one above all. Toward the middle of your career, basketball may take a little dip and get second. Doesn’t mean it’s not important or not your focus. When you get to this age, basketball is like third or fourth. So many things that are just more important in life than the game of basketball.”

4 years ago – via Palm Beach Post

Udonis Haslem, who came into the league the same year as Wade, also will weigh his options once the season ends. And although Haslem said today that he has not made a decision – “I got a lot of time to think about that this summer,” he said – he has started cherishing the experiences more with the end nearing. “As you get older and you spend more time in this league and around younger guys, you just start to soak everything in a little more,” Haslem, 37, said following the Heat’s shootaround in preparation for tonight’s Game 5 against the Sixers. Miami trails in the series, 3-1.

4 years ago – via Palm Beach Post

Haslem was asked today if it will be a package deal with Wade if they return. “If we’re going to split the money. … because I know he going to get more than me,” Haslem joked. “That’s the only way we’re going to package it, we’ll crunch that money down the middle.