MIAMI ¨C Udonis Haslem says he¡¯s had talks with the Miami Heat in recent days about potentially returning for a 16th season with the only professional team he¡¯s known.
Speaking at a store opening on Wednesday, the Miami native said he had ¡°a great conversation¡± with the team.
¡°At the end of the day, it was a conversation about if they want me back and if I want to be back,¡± he said, per the Associated Press.
Haslem, 38, has seen his role diminish in recent years ¡ª he played in just 14 games last season ¡ª but remains a respected voice in the locker room and worked out with teammates, including fellow free agent Dwyane Wade, as recently as Tuesday.
¡°Every time I talk to the guys, they want me to come back, they want to know,¡± he was quoted as saying by the Sun-Sentinel. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m just chilling, having fun. I¡¯ve got a lot of energy. ... I still got game left in me.¡±
Heat president Pat Riley said there¡¯s no urgency from the team on a decision from Haslem or Wade.
¡°Both Udonis and Dwyane deserve the respect to sit and wait on this thing,¡± he said.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.