"They didn't have to do that" - Udonis Haslem says LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh took less money so the Heat could offer him a contract
The Miami Heat's 20-year veteran Udonis Haslem has become one of the most beloved players in the history of the team’s organization.
After going undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft, Haslem signed a deal with Miami, his hometown team, a year later. He has been with the organization ever since and is currently serving in a mentor role in his age-42 season.
However, according to Haslem, his time in Miami almost got cut short back in 2010. This was because the Heat used their available cap space to sign stars LeBron James and Chris Bosh in free agency while retaining Dwyane Wade.
On a recent episode of “The Pivot Podcast,” Haslem recalled how he felt like the odd man out as a free agent in 2010.
“Oh sh*t, I’m out of here. I’m out of here,” he said.
“Because I know how the numbers worked, I know how the money worked. I know what those guys’ values was, I know they worth at the time. And I’m thinking, ‘Okay, it’s time to move on.’
“The story is, I was on my way down to the arena to personally look (Heat president Pat Riley) in the eyes and say ‘Thank you because when no one else believed, and when no one else gave me opportunities, you did. And because of that, I have other opportunities now.’”
However, Haslem then recalled how James, Wade and Bosh opted to take pay cuts so Miami could retain him.
“As I’m pulling off the expressway, I get a call from my agent, the late Henry Thomas. … ‘We got a deal on the table,’” Udonis Haslem said.
“‘It’s not what you were offered before, but it’s good money.’ So just for the record, I was offered about $35 (million). The Heat only had $20 (million).
“But the fact that Bron, CB and D-Wade all collabed to take less money to make that $20 (million) available for me, it said enough, because they didn’t have to do that.
“Dwyane understood. Bron and CB don’t know me from a can of paint. They ain’t ever played with me, they don’t know nothing about me. But the fact that they was able to say ‘Okay, cool. We need him. We need him to win.’ That let me know I got to get them boys they money worth.”
(The conversation starts at the 39:42 mark below.)
Udonis Haslem chose smaller offer from Miami Heat over larger offers from other teams in 2010 free agency
Udonis Haslem ultimately ended up signing a five-year, $20.3 million contract to stay with the Miami Heat in 2010. As he pointed out, he chose their offer over larger offers from other teams. This gave Haslem a chance to prove his loyalty to Miami while also offering him an opportunity to compete for more titles.
He went on to play a key role in both of the Heat’s championship runs in 2012 and 2013. Over 44 playoff games during both of those seasons, Haslem averaged 4.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.5 steals per game on 52.3% shooting, while starting 30 times.
Also read: Udonis Haslem says he would've 'loved' to mentor Ja Morant - "You can be hood, but you can't be street"