Udonis Haslem is one of the longest-tenured players in the NBA, finding himself on the Miami Heat’s roster ever-since 2003. Now, Haslem, as reported by Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Haslem is considering retiring from the NBA.
Per Chiang’s reporting, Haslem had the following to say to NBA TV:
It has been a great run, man, [retirement] has been something that I’ve been thinking about. From everybody that I’ve talked to and from everything that I’ve done and sacrificed, one thing that I’ve always wanted is to be able to leave this game on my own terms. Another thing that I’ve always wanted is to be able to have the opportunity to create a pathway for the next generation as far as passing on the Heat culture.
Haslem has won three NBA championships in his time with the Heat (2006, 2012, 2013) and signed a one-year deal to return to the Heat this past offseason. The NBA’s season being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic is reportedly factoring into Haslem’s consideration for retiring.
Haslem, who turns 40 next month, is the Heat’s franchise leader in rebounds and has long been considered one of the leading voices in Miami’s locker room.
