Udonis Haslem says he’s talked to Dwyane Wade about finishing their careers together
By Wes Goldberg
Udonis Haslem has made it clear that he wants to end his career with the Miami Heat, and with Dwyane Wade.
Miami Heat team captain Udonis Haslem has been open about wanting Dwyane Wade back in Miami, where they shared the first 13 years of their careers together.
With rumors that the Chicago Bulls will buy Wade out soon, there has been plenty of speculation about if he’d re-sign with the Heat.
Haslem and Wade both started with the Heat as rookies in 2003, and played 13 seasons together before Wade surprisingly left for Chicago last summer. They’ve remained close friends, though, and spent time traveling together this summer.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Haslem has talked to Wade about returning and finishing his career in Miami.
"“We talked about finishing our careers together,” Haslem said. “We really want it to be the case. Plans change. So if it doesn’t happen it doesn’t put any strain on our relationship but it’s still a goal of mine. Hopefully we can end it that way.”"
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Haslem is being clear: If and when Wade is bought out, he wants the Heat to make an effort to bring him back. He also said that the two “deserve to finish it the right way” and that he doesn’t want Wade to have any regrets.
Haslem signed a one-year, minimum contract to remain with the Heat this summer. If Wade were bought out by the Bulls, Miami could offer the same veteran minimum, or potentially use it’s $4.3 million cap exception that the team has yet to use.
Wade this summer opted into the last year of his contract that pays him $23.8 million. If he is bought out, he’d still recoup a negotiated portion of his salary from the Bulls.
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While Miami would be a potential destination, so to could teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets, where his close friends LeBron James and Chris Paul play.