Udonis Haslem to resign with Miami

[rondohondo]

Just heard on weei, does anyone have a link?

[Rashi]

Yup, he is staying with the Heat.

Haslem email to Sun Sentinel, and, therefore, Heat fans: "Turned down full mid level from Dallas and Denver. See u next season."

http://twitter.com/IraHeatBeat

[Andy Jick]

LOL!!  In trying to interpret your thoughts, let me add that I just saw on ESPNews that Haslem will decide to stay with Miami.  The details aren't known yet because the Heat have quite a bit on their plate right now, but that appears to be the case.

Stated they are also in the running for guys like Stackhouse and Mike James (as roster filler).  My guess is that Fisher will stay with the Lakers (from everything I've read).

[soap07]

Great signing for the Heat. Have always like Haslem as a role player. Good rebounder, tough...combined with the Mike Miller signing and retaining Joel Anthony....that's a lot of weapons.

They still could use a back up wing (Stackhouse?) and a back up point guard (Nate?), but even without the two, definite favorites in the East.

[Evantime34]

If more players decide to take less money to play in Miami the conversation about them having a crummy bench is moot. This would make me extremely nervous.

[JSD]

Nice, I hope Miami uses the rest of their cap room on him. He can turn down the MLE and take less in Miami because of the tax break. I love how these guys are trying to sell the idea that they're "taking a discount".

Miami still lacks the size and defense to do real damage in the playoffs.

[jdpapa3]

Nice, I hope Miami uses the rest of their cap room on him. He can turn down the MLE and take less in Miami because of the tax break. I love how these guys are trying to sell the idea that they're "taking a discount".

Miami still lacks the size and defense to do real damage in the playoffs.

From what I read, the state income tax thing is smaller than people make it out to be. You are charged state income tax for the other states you play in so it only amounts to half of your income being state-tax free.

[JSD]

Nice, I hope Miami uses the rest of their cap room on him. He can turn down the MLE and take less in Miami because of the tax break. I love how these guys are trying to sell the idea that they're "taking a discount".

Miami still lacks the size and defense to do real damage in the playoffs.

From what I read, the state income tax thing is smaller than people make it out to be. You are charged state income tax for the other states you play in so it only amounts to half of your income being state-tax free.

That's a good point when it comes to a player like Haslem. But from what I've read, Lebron, Wade and Bosh are set to make more money through the tax breaks when factoring in endorsments.

estimated $25 million dollar savings for James:

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/07/09/did-saving-25-million-taxes-fuel-lebron-james-miami-heat-pick/(

Although it projects him at $17/per with Miami.

[The Walker Wiggle]

Yeah.

While, I'm not much impressed by James, Wade or Bosh leaving $2 million on the table. Early reports have Haslem accepting a four year deal for half the value of the full-MLE offers he had from Dallas and Denver.

Florida's income tax isn't going to make up a $12 million+ dollar difference. And unlike his teammates, Udonis is looking at one or two year minimum salary offers from here on out.

I was hoping the Heat were going to miss out here. This signing takes a lot of pressure off of Riley.

[35Lewis]

This is not the smartest move that Udonis has made although he must be confident in a job with the organization should he decide to retire there. 

Texas doesn't have a state income tax either so that can't be the major turning point for him as Dallas was one of his suitors.  I hope he isn't caught up in the moment because I know I wouldn't stay at my company if another company offered me a substantial pay increase.

[JSD]

Would anyone be surpirsed if Riley had a backdoor deal going on with Haslem to keep him there? Like a Mchale -- Joe Smith type of thing going on?

I know it's a terrible accusation to make with no evidence, but it just wouldn't surprise me at this point.

[pearljammer10]

Great signing for the Heat. I would have really liked to see him go to Denver though, that would have been a nice addition to an already fun and exciting team.

Haslem has always been a favorite player of mine. Comes in off the bench, does his dirty work, plays tough D, can get you ten rebounds on any given night, can make a few outside shots here and there... He is a great role player to the Other Big 3... Adding Mike Miller is also a pretty good move. They could end up being a very well-rounded overall good looking team. Chemistry might take a while though, I think that may be our only hope.

[Jon]

Would anyone be surpirsed if Riley had a backdoor deal going on with Haslem to keep him there? Like a Mchale -- Joe Smith type of thing going on?

I know it's a terrible accusation to make with no evidence, but it just wouldn't surprise me at this point.

I really wonder.  Haslem already has his ring, so I don't quite get why he turns bigger deals down.  And it's not like the MLE offers were from Sacramento and Minnesota either.  He would've been going to very good teams. 

[FallGuy]

Yeah.

While, I'm not much impressed by James, Wade or Bosh leaving $2 million on the table. Early reports have Haslem accepting a four year deal for half the value of the full-MLE offers he had from Dallas and Denver.

Florida's income tax isn't going to make up a $12 million+ dollar difference. And unlike his teammates, Udonis is looking at one or two year minimum salary offers from here on out.

I was hoping the Heat were going to miss out here. This signing takes a lot of pressure off of Riley.

Riley is having one of the all-time offseasons. I suspect he's using voodoo.

[wil]

From what I've heard Haslem is from Miami, played college in Miami, and wanted to stay in Miami.  I was very interested to see if he could pass up all that money that Dallas was offering, but he apparently is.  It makes me like him more, in all honesty.  It's one thing for the SuperFriends to give up a few mil here or there.  Haslem is a whole different story.  Good for him (bad for the C's)