<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI--Saying he is willing to sign a Heat contract for less than what he might earn on the open market, forward Udonis Haslem expressed optimism he would re-sign with the team. Haslem, speaking Wednesday morning on 790 AM The Ticket (WAXY), said Atlanta and Cleveland expressed an interest in offering him a free-agent contract but that he prefers to return to the Heat, which signed the Miami native and University of Florida product after he played a season in France. Haslem said he's grateful to the team for giving him a chance. "I am forever thankful to those guys and if we can get anything close to a deal done, something around the range of what I should get, even if it's not as much, I will be glad to take it," Haslem said. Heat President Pat Riley has said re-signing Haslem, the starting power forward, is a priority. Haslem's agent, Jason Levien, and the Heat are negotiating a multi-year contract to replace the one that expired June 30. "It's looking good," Haslem said of negotiations. "Obviously this is where I want to be."</div> Source
That is huge for the Heat... this gives them more depth b/c Simien won't have to start any more and can come off the bench and bring a great influence on the game. Haslem will be very solid next year, I predict 12 and 10. This is big big news.
This is huge if the Heat can bring back Haslem, and still have enough to bring back Damon Jones or Keyon Dooling. You have to respect the loyalty Haslem is displaying. He appreciates the opportunity the Heat gave him and he's willing to take less money to win. I wish more players in the NBA had this attitude. The league would be a lot better and the fans could actually follow the same players on their favorite team for more than one or two seasons.
Nice one. I gues Haslem will become a local hero in Miami after this move. I wish more players would be more loyal to their teams, as Haslem is.
Thats very loyal of him but a very dumb personal decision. No matter what the situation the guy needs to cash in while he can.. Shaq makes his life so much easier. When the big man retires, Haslem won't see the looks he see's now and his value may decrease. Got to respect his decision though.
Indeed he"s a grate player he starts in miami i"m sure he will quit as a heat He"s good on defence so i see no problem with signing him
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Thats very loyal of him but a very dumb personal decision. No matter what the situation the guy needs to cash in while he can.. Shaq makes his life so much easier. When the big man retires, Haslem won't see the looks he see's now and his value may decrease. Got to respect his decision though.</div> <font color="Red">Why is it a dumb personal decision? </font> After the taxes, Haslem would of payed in other cities, the increase in salary was around $3 million over a span 5 years. Sure $3 mil. might seem like alot to us, but the Heat will offer him a contract in the 30 Mil range & most importantly he will likely win a championship. I would take $30 Mil & a Championship Ring over > $33mil and No Ring! Not to mention playing alongside with Shaq & DWade in Miami. Smart Decision in my book.
This is great news, and its good to see an nba player that cares more about loyalty to his team then money
I'd say it's also a smart decision... what's a couple million to sports players anyways? He'll make 30 million and I think that's more than enough to live lavishly. It also increases his chances at winning a ring that players who get paid much more strive for their whole careers.
It is definitely a smart decision. Haslem will cash in on endorsements and Pat Riley will make sure he's taken care of when his basketball career is over. Riley brings the class of the Lakers organization and will reward the loyalty. The Lakers always take care of their former players and Riley will do the same for the Heat players when they retire. Whether Haslem becomes a big man coach or a TV personality, he will have a "life after basketball" career by doing this. Also you have Shaq who is very generous with his money and will take care of his enforcer behind the scenes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan:</div><div class="quote_post"><font color="Red">Why is it a dumb personal decision? </font> After the taxes, Haslem would of payed in other cities, the increase in salary was around $3 million over a span 5 years. Sure $3 mil. might seem like alot to us, but the Heat will offer him a contract in the 30 Mil range & most importantly he will likely win a championship. I would take $30 Mil & a Championship Ring over > $33mil and No Ring! Not to mention playing alongside with Shaq & DWade in Miami. Smart Decision in my book. </div> What makes you think he will win a championship by taking less money? their best chance was last year and with Shaq getting worse their chances of winning have decreased. Mainly when the fact the Indiana Pacers will have their full team back next year. I certainly wouldn't take less no matter the situation. You can jump on championship teams near the end of your career. When you are young you choose the money ahead of success. Money has been the factor in every player agreement so far this off-season and will continue to be so. Haslem could get 6 or 7 million a year for a team who has cap space, he would overpaid but everyone is in the NBA these days. Money is the main thing that matters. Obviously he is a loyal and classy guy who gives credit to the people who had faith In it but still not too smart If teams with cap space are infact offering much more money.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">What makes you think he will win a championship by taking less money? their best chance was last year and with Shaq getting worse their chances of winning have decreased. Mainly when the fact the Indiana Pacers will have their full team back next year. I certainly wouldn't take less no matter the situation. You can jump on championship teams near the end of your career. When you are young you choose the money ahead of success. Money has been the factor in every player agreement so far this off-season and will continue to be so. Haslem could get 6 or 7 million a year for a team who has cap space, he would overpaid but everyone is in the NBA these days. Money is the main thing that matters. Obviously he is a loyal and classy guy who gives credit to the people who had faith In it but still not too smart If teams with cap space are infact offering much more money.</div> "Money is the main thing that matters. When you are young you choose the money ahead of success." If you truly believe this then we really can't argue this matter. Difference of opinion. Sure money is important, but when you have $30 Million Dollars what is 3 more ? Ask Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller or Karl Malone how many millions they would give up to have an NBA championship ring. I agree that Haslem is not guaranteed a championship, but he has a better chance with Miami than with most teams he would of signed with. You surely are entitled to your own opinion, but like I stated earlier I'd rather have a NBA championship to go along with my millions. You being a Pistons fan should know the importance and value placed on an NBA title. You play the game to WIN not to make a little bit more money than everyone else.
We agree to disagree on the matter After seeing that the Cavs are very interested in signing him, we will now see how loyal Haslem really is. The Cavs are said to be willing to offer more than what the Heat can. So this could certainly get interesting and a worry for Miami fans. If Haslem signs an offer sheet from Cleveland that is higher than what the Heat can offer, the Heat would need to use them MLE on matching which would totally destroy their off-season plans of signing other players to fill out their needs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">We agree to disagree on the matter After seeing that the Cavs are very interested in signing him, we will now see how loyal Haslem really is. The Cavs are said to be willing to offer more than what the Heat can. So this could certainly get interesting and a worry for Miami fans. If Haslem signs an offer sheet from Cleveland that is higher than what the Heat can offer, the Heat would need to use them MLE on matching which would totally destroy their off-season plans of signing other players to fill out their needs.</div> I would rather let Haslem go to Cleveland than to use our cap space and sacrifice our other needs. We will be losing at the Power Forward position but Simien, Laettner or Doleac will have to step up and fill the starting role if Haslem does deside to leave.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan:</div><div class="quote_post">"Money is the main thing that matters. When you are young you choose the money ahead of success." If you truly believe this then we really can't argue this matter. Difference of opinion. Sure money is important, but when you have $30 Million Dollars what is 3 more ? Ask Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller or Karl Malone how many millions they would give up to have an NBA championship ring. I agree that Haslem is not guaranteed a championship, but he has a better chance with Miami than with most teams he would of signed with. You surely are entitled to your own opinion, but like I stated earlier I'd rather have a NBA championship to go along with my millions. You being a Pistons fan should know the importance and value placed on an NBA title. You play the game to WIN not to make a little bit more money than everyone else.</div> Don't get too angry my friend. AllNet is anti-Heat and expresses his affections for us really well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting WadeDynasty:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't get too angry my friend. AllNet is anti-Heat and expresses his affections for us really well.</div> You couldn't be more wrong, out of all the teams the Pistons have knocked out of the playoffs the past couple of years the Heat are far the most likeable team.
