Haslem has this unique role in mind with Heat after his retirement in months ahead
When Udonis Haslem retires at the end of this, his 20th NBA season, it won’t mean a separation from the Miami Heat.
Haslem, the embodiment of Heat culture, told The Miami Herald that he still intends to be around the team every day next season and beyond. And he has a unique role in mind: as a hands-on minority owner, a cog helping bridge all levels of the organization.
“My commitment, even though I’ll be retired, is to be here just as much as the players and the staff and be committed to the process of the future and winning,” he said. “I look to take a path of ownership, but to be a working owner, not a guy who crosses his legs and sits on the sideline.
“I want to be a guy that connects the dots between the locker room and front office, connects the dots between the front office and the owners. Sometimes you can miss things in those area.”
Haslem makes clear that “the locker room belongs to Spo [Erik Spoelstra] and the team. But I will be one of those owners that can be part of that locker room.”
Has Haslem discussed this vision with owner Micky Arison or team CEO Nick Arison?
“We’ve pranced around things in the past and we’re going to continue to prance around things when it’s the right time,” he said. “Now is the time to focus on the team and try to get another ring. It’s hard for me to do both. I’m committed to it and in the summer time, those are things that will be talked about.”
Haslem knows he does not want to coach. So if the minority ownership role does not materialize, would Haslem like to work in the front office, with a title?
“I’ve got options and that’s a good thing,” he said. “I’ve sacrificed enough where I’ve put myself in position where I have options. That’s a great position to be in. The last thing you want to do is be forced out of this league and don’t have options or opportunities and I have both.”
But he makes clear his preference is a place in Heat ownership, with an active role.
“The ultimate goal for me is to take that leap into the ownership phase,” he said. “That’s what makes sense, to lead into the next generation, with the respect I have not just in this locker room but the entire NBA, the impact I have, the knowledge I’ve gained and how ambitious I am.
“You put me in a situation and I can learn anything. I’ve learned how this locker room works. I’ve learned how this team works. But I don’t know how the organization works and I’ll be eager to learn that.”
When the idea of following around general manager Andy Elisburg was raised, he said: “I would love to sit down next to those guys and just be a sponge. That gets me excited. The two things that get me excited isn’t watching basketball — it doesn’t mean I don’t love basketball – but I get excited about business and learning.”
Whatever the official title, Haslem is sure about this: He will be here every day.
“Every day. It would mean everything. I don’t want to be a guy that’s just around and you don’t know what he does or what his purpose is. I want to impact winning. To impact winning, you have got to be here, present first and foremost. Not pick and choose when you’re present.
“You have to be present every day or at least present as much as possible. When you pick and choose when you’re present, it’s not really a commitment. It’s convenience. Winning is not always convenient.”
The Heat assuredly will honor him when he retires, but Haslem said he does not want a ceremony this season.
“Pat [Riley] told me to think about it, but I haven’t gotten back to him [yet],” Haslem said.
“I don’t want to do it during the season,” he said. “I want to focus on the games. I want to focus on these guys, not me. Next year, whenever we can do it [is fine]. It ain’t about me, it ain’t about my retirement, it’s about trying to get a ring.”
Haslem doesn’t yet know what kind of ceremony he wants as his playing career ends.
“It’s hard to go there right now, especially with the season starting the way it has, and bodies in and out, and some games I’ve been thrown in the fire,” he said. “The FTX thing. I lost my friend [former Gators teammate Major Parker, who died in November, at 44, after suffering a heart attack].
“I haven’t been able to focus on that kind of stuff [the long-term future]. I’m hoping 2023 gives me clarity and gives me time to focus on those type of things.”
