fauowls44 Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Haslem agrees to pact Power forward Udonis Haslem came to terms on a five-year contract for the maximum the Heat could pay him -- close to $34 million -- to stay in Miami. BY ISRAEL GUTIERREZ [email protected] The Heat gave Udonis Haslem his first chance, so Haslem wanted to give the Heat a legitimate chance at keeping him -- even if it meant giving up a few million dollars. When Haslem agreed to a contract with the Heat late Tuesday, he effectively did just that, passing up the opportunity to seek more money elsewhere to guarantee that he remains with the organization that believed in him. Haslem and the Heat agreed to a five-year contract for the maximum amount the Heat can offer, which is expected to be almost $34 million. The actual amount depends on what the league announces as the average salary later this week. Haslem, who attended Miami High and played four years at the University of Florida, can't officially sign a deal until July 22, when it is expected that the new collective bargaining agreement will officially be in place. The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly had been willing to offer Haslem a deal worth up to $10 million more than the Heat's offer, but Haslem was satisfied with the way the Heat handled the negotiations. The Heat met with Haslem's agent, Jason Levien, at midnight July 1, the earliest teams were allowed to meet with free agents. On that same late night, the Heat offered Haslem the maximum it could extend, which Haslem took as a clear sign the organization valued him. Haslem has said often that he preferred to stay in Miami, and he has built strong relationships with Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade that only solidified a bond with his hometown team. ''This is where Udonis wanted to be all along,'' Levien said late Tuesday. ``This is where his heart is.'' To make up for the money he could have been passing on elsewhere, the Heat could provide Haslem with other enticements, including possibly giving him a significant portion of his annual salary up front. It was a little more than two years ago that Haslem was playing in France after going undrafted in the NBA. After stints in summer leagues with the Hawks, Spurs and Heat, it was Miami that offered Haslem a contract, and he was so impressive early on that he cracked the opening day starting lineup as a rookie, effectively taking the spot of the injured Caron Butler. His rookie season, Haslem averaged 7.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in 75 games before being named to the NBA All-Rookie second team. This past season, Haslem started all 80 games he played, averaging 10.9 points and 9.1 rebounds and finishing fourth in the NBA in field-goal shooting percentage (.540). With Haslem now in place, and O'Neal's deal expected to be agreed on this week, the Heat can focus its attention on its point guard situation. Damon Jones and Keyon Dooling are both possibilities to return, but the Heat would like to get its hands on Earl Watson at the right price. That process might linger as the market begins to dictate the going price on the available point guards. The Heat still has its midlevel salary-cap exception to use on free agents. The Heat would also like to bolster its frontcourt, but ideally with minimum-salary players. Great news! Now let's get Shaq done and then begin adding free agents. The Heat's power rotation is looking good with Shaq, Zo, Udonis, Simien, and possibly Doleac (although he could be traded in a sign-and-trade). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Marlin Man Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 isn't Zo still up in the air for whether or not he's coming back? and the fact that they did this with udonis tells you that they bascially have the shaq deal done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Guapo Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Today on the Paul and Ron radio show Zo said he is leaning towards coming back next year........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UMFan4Life7 Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Today on the Paul and Ron radio show Zo said he is leaning towards coming back next year........ 853736[/snapback] That would be great. He was an excellent addition last season, defensevily. As for Haslem, this is a great move the Heat. We get back a great rebounder and developing mid-range shooter. He can knock down that 15-footer. He can only become better, and playing next to Shaq and Wade, he shouldn't have a problem. :thumbup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Marlin Man Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Today on the Paul and Ron radio show Zo said he is leaning towards coming back next year........ 853736[/snapback] very cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Train35 Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Awesome news on the Heat front today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonDigital Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 great great move on the FO part. this guy is pure banger. something the heat struggled with last year was rebounding and if there was a shining star in that category it would be UD. this type of move shows his motivation to win in miami and not get paid somewhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 He got paid great money and got to stay where he wanted. Win-Win. Not a very hard decision. I'm shocked to hear that the Cavs offered Udonis 10 million more. Thats 8-9 million per year. While Udonis is a good player, 8-9 per? Are you kidding me? When the Nets are going to be getting Abdur-Rahim for 4.9 a year? And the Wizards could be getting Donyell Marshall for 4.9 a year? Surely, Cleveland must be joking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juanky Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 This is shaping up to be a pretty damn good front line if Zo signs on for another year. Now let's get Shaq rapped up and scoop up a solid Point Guard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FIUMarlinfan Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Hes all but rapped up to a 5 year extension. Should sign it sometime this week from what I hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odom006 Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 man haslem is a sstand up guy..... for him not to take all that money somehwere else just teels you where this guys head is at...... i guess he know got a million and ya set for life......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 very expected move from the heat. good move from them as it adds some stabalization. there really wasnt anyone else that would fit the team doing this role more than haslem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Man Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Good to hear. Haslems like the HEATS Luis Castillo. I always liked The Big U, and Im glad he's back. I heard through the grape vine the Jason Kidd might be interested in comming to the Heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishFan24 Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I think its great that Udonis will be back with the Heat next season, but I think it also means that Damon Jones is as good as gone. Still pretty happy about it though :thumbup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlinfan98 Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I think its great that Udonis will be back with the Heat next season, but I think it also means that Damon Jones is as good as gone. Still pretty happy about it though :thumbup 854144[/snapback] Why? We can still offer him a 3 year, $10 million deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Good to hear. Haslems like the HEATS Luis Castillo. I always liked The Big U, and Im glad he's back. I heard through the grape vine the Jason Kidd might be interested in comming to the Heat. 854106[/snapback] unless the nets cut him this summer, that is in no way ever going to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzie Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 man? haslem? is a? sstand? up? guy.....? for? him? not? to take? all that money? somehwere? else? just teels? you where? this guys? head? is at......? i? guess? he know? got a? million? and? ya set? for? life......... 853972[/snapback] Odom006! :notworthy hehe anyway, great news. couldn't be more happy to have him back. Good to hear. Haslems like the HEATS Luis Castillo. I always liked The Big U, and Im glad he's back. I heard through the grape vine the Jason Kidd might be interested in comming to the Heat. 854106[/snapback] unless the nets cut him this summer, that is in no way ever going to happen. 854159[/snapback] yeah, just another unrealistic offseason rumor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishFan24 Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I think its great that Udonis will be back with the Heat next season, but I think it also means that Damon Jones is as good as gone. Still pretty happy about it though :thumbup 854144[/snapback] Why? We can still offer him a 3 year, $10 million deal. 854153[/snapback] You think thats going to be enough to keep him here? Part of me highly doubts it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 man haslem is a sstand up guy..... for him not to take all that money somehwere else just teels you where this guys head is at...... i guess he know got a million and ya set for life......... 853972[/snapback] Odom006! :notworthy hehe anyway, great news. couldn't be more happy to have him back. Good to hear. Haslems like the HEATS Luis Castillo. I always liked The Big U, and Im glad he's back. I heard through the grape vine the Jason Kidd might be interested in comming to the Heat. 854106[/snapback] unless the nets cut him this summer, that is in no way ever going to happen. 854159[/snapback] yeah, just another unrealistic offseason rumor. 854161[/snapback] true and you wont win with jason kidd anyway. there are just certain players that are more about numbers than wins. jason kidd is one of those. i'm still thankful we didnt get him in the summer of 2003. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Congrats to UD for getting what he wanted out of the deal. I'm a big fan of him and his determination to improve all the time. Great player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlinfan98 Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I think its great that Udonis will be back with the Heat next season, but I think it also means that Damon Jones is as good as gone. Still pretty happy about it though :thumbup 854144[/snapback] Why? We can still offer him a 3 year, $10 million deal. 854153[/snapback] You think thats going to be enough to keep him here? Part of me highly doubts it. 854170[/snapback] I find it hard to believe any other team would offer him more than that, knowing his numbers were padded by the open looks he got because of Shaq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 man? haslem? is a? sstand? up? guy.....? for? him? not? to take? all that money? somehwere? else? just teels? you where? this guys? head? is at......? i? guess? he know? got a? million? and? ya set?? for? life......... 853972[/snapback] Odom006! :notworthy hehe anyway, great news. couldn't be more happy to have him back. Good to hear. Haslems like the HEATS Luis Castillo. I always liked The Big U, and Im glad he's back. I heard through the grape vine the Jason Kidd might be interested in comming to the Heat. 854106[/snapback] unless the nets cut him this summer, that is in no way ever going to happen. 854159[/snapback] yeah, just another unrealistic offseason rumor. 854161[/snapback] true and you wont win with jason kidd anyway. there are just certain players that are more about numbers than wins. jason kidd is one of those. i'm still thankful we didnt get him in the summer of 2003. 854178[/snapback] Ah...Das is always here to clutter up the board with his blind hatred for everything to do with the New Jersey Nets. Everyone disregard any comments Das Texan makes about the New Jersey Nets Organization, any Net current players, and all past players. He will look at them through his San Antonio colored glasses and bash them relentlessly in hopes of filling your mind with crap. I dont know what the Nets did to him - But if the Nets won three titles in a row, he would call it a fluke. Jason Kidd is a winner fine. He brought the Nets to the Finals back-to-back years and almost pulled off winning with Jason Collins starting at the center position. Don't give me that crap. I'd love to see any player currently in the league take Jason Kidd's spot in the Nets and win an NBA title with them. I'm not even going to check this thread again to sort through you're trolling trash that you just love to spill all over the Nets because in the end you and I know anyone can twist their side of the arguement until it works...So I'll leave you with this.... See ya in the Finals next year, Das. Kidd/Stoudamire Carter/Wright Jefferson/Wright Abdur-Rahim/Evans Krstic/Collins Ta-ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying_Mollusk Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 I have to admit, that Nets team could be awfully dangerous if Kidd stays healthy. Knock on them might be the lack of toughness up front because Abdur Rahim is not a tough power forward. Of course KMart isnt either(overrated in that dept) and they did well with him. I see the Nets as a top four seed at best next year with health but not passing the Heat, Pacers, and Pistons. They just dont have the bench to be a contender. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 man haslem is a sstand up guy..... for him not to take all that money somehwere else just teels you where this guys head is at...... i guess he know got a million and ya set for life......... 853972[/snapback] :o :notworthy The man has returned!! And this is great news for the Heat, U was their primary target this offseason it appeared and they got it done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 man haslem is a sstand up guy..... for him not to take all that money somehwere else just teels you where this guys head is at...... i guess he know got a million and ya set for life......... 853972[/snapback] Odom006! :notworthy hehe anyway, great news. couldn't be more happy to have him back. Good to hear. Haslems like the HEATS Luis Castillo. I always liked The Big U, and Im glad he's back. I heard through the grape vine the Jason Kidd might be interested in comming to the Heat. 854106[/snapback] unless the nets cut him this summer, that is in no way ever going to happen. 854159[/snapback] yeah, just another unrealistic offseason rumor. 854161[/snapback] true and you wont win with jason kidd anyway. there are just certain players that are more about numbers than wins. jason kidd is one of those. i'm still thankful we didnt get him in the summer of 2003. 854178[/snapback] Ah...Das is always here to clutter up the board with his blind hatred for everything to do with the New Jersey Nets. Everyone disregard any comments Das Texan makes about the New Jersey Nets Organization, any Net current players, and all past players. He will look at them through his San Antonio colored glasses and bash them relentlessly in hopes of filling your mind with crap. I dont know what the Nets did to him - But if the Nets won three titles in a row, he would call it a fluke. Jason Kidd is a winner fine. He brought the Nets to the Finals back-to-back years and almost pulled off winning with Jason Collins starting at the center position. Don't give me that crap. I'd love to see any player currently in the league take Jason Kidd's spot in the Nets and win an NBA title with them. I'm not even going to check this thread again to sort through you're trolling trash that you just love to spill all over the Nets because in the end you and I know anyone can twist their side of the arguement until it works...So I'll leave you with this.... See ya in the Finals next year, Das. Kidd/Stoudamire Carter/Wright Jefferson/Wright Abdur-Rahim/Evans Krstic/Collins Ta-ta. 854276[/snapback] so who is signing for the LLE? and for that matter who will be signing for the minimum. last i checked the nets were over the cap. you have the MLE and the LLE. you want to sign 3 players there. who gets what? or are the nets going to make some remarkable trades of their roster junk for SAR in a sign and trade? realism often outweighs fantasy. sorry. the window for kidd has closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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