Udonis Haslem will return to the Miami Heat for his 20th season with the team
>
Udonis Haslem, 42, opts against retirement and confirms he WILL return to the Miami Heat for another season… joining Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki as the only NBA stars to play 20 years for one franchise
- Udonis Haslem will enter his second decade with the Miami Heat organization
- Haslem will be on a one-year, $2.9 million contract after opting to play again
- The Heat will utilize Haslem’s leadership as they look improve on last season
- Miami lost to the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Udonis Haslem is back again after agreeing to play on for his hometown Miami Heat.
The 42-year-old has had a contract offer on the table for two months but had been weighing up whether to leave behind the NBA for retirement.
Although this Sunday, Haslem decided he was all-in on the Heat as they look to avenge last season’s Eastern Conference Finals exit in pursuit of a championship.
Speaking at his basketball camp at alma mater, Miami High, Haslem revealed his father was instrumental in extending his career.
Udonis Haslem is a three-time NBA Champion (2006, 2012 and 2013) with the Miami Heat
‘I have decided to follow through with what me and my father had talked about, and I will finish what I started and I will play 20 years,’ he said.
‘I will play this year, because I talked about that with my father and that’s what we said we would do. It won’t be the same. Won’t be as easy.
‘But the goal still remains the same. Win. Win a championship. Leave it on the line and hold your head high when it’s all over.’
Haslem has become an inspiration for the Miami outfit and will look to push them to a title
Haslem will have a one-year deal, $2.9million deal with the Heat, who also re-signed guard Victor Oladipo to a one-year $11m contract.
Haslem has been without his father, Johnnie, for almost a year after the former college basketball player passed away on August 30, 2021. He is also without his mother, Debra, who passed away back in 2010.
‘Even at 42, you look around and you don’t have both of your parents, you can be confused,’ he said.
Haslem joins elite company alongside Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki in year 20 of his career
‘It can be confusing…But never have I been more clear than I am now. I just had to clear the cobwebs out.’
Following this season, Haslem will sit alongside Lakers and Mavericks legends Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki as the only NBA players to have played two decades for one franchise.
Haslem has averaged 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds across his 19-year NBA career.