The Miami Heat are a beloved organization, especially by those who play for and root for the team. Heat Culture has swept the nation in recent years, but players have been drawn by it for a long time.
Despite this, there has only been one player who has spent his entire career with the Heat. Obviously, that man is Udonis Haslem, who is still in Miami to this day.
That being said, it’s hard to spend one’s whole career with the same team. It’s not common that a player enjoys playing in the city that drafted him so much that he wants to stay forever.
So, instead of that, which current players are most likely to retire as a member of the Heat? They may not have started their careers in Miami, but they love the city enough to finish there.
Also, Udonis Haslem does not count for the purpose of this exercise. It’s pretty obvious that he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Current players most likely to retire with the Miami Heat: PJ Tucker
PJ Tucker hasn’t even played a game with the Miami Heat yet and he already has a solid chance of retiring in the city. Not because he loves Miami a ton yet, but simply because of his age.
By the end of his current contract, Tucker will be 38 years old and making nearly just under $10 million. While he could potentially find another home, he seems like the kind of person who would fall in love with Heat Culture.
Tucker plays with such great intensity that Heat fans are going to love him right away. He just fits too well with the current Miami Heat roster.
By the time his contract is up, Tucker may choose to retire, or the Heat could simply re-sign him. Either way, it seems as though Tucker could end his career in South Beach.