Udonis Haslem, now a 16-year NBA veteran, is the ultimate ‘Heat lifer.' His unwavering loyalty to the team can be summarized in one line: the Miami Heat has existed more years with Haslem than without him.

Associated Press writer Tim Reynolds tweeted out this mind-boggling fact.

‘UD' has spent every second of his career with the Heat, serving as the franchise's ultimate glue guy and locker room presence. He has eclipsed double-digit scoring only four times in his career, but truth be told that his production underestimates his importance to the team.

In 2010, Sports Day reported that Haslem turned down bigger offers from other teams just to re-sign with the Heat.

Haslem signed a five-year deal Monday worth around $20 million, more than $10 million less than he could have gotten had he accepted offers from the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets.

“I would be changing my DNA if I left just for money,” Haslem said.

This summer, the Heat brought back Haslem for a one-year, $2.4 million deal. While many would question why an aging veteran who's not a consistent rotational piece should be given a contract offer, Dave George of Palm Beach Post has the answer to that.

“This franchise is not weakened by carrying Udonis on the roster, even if he barely plays at all. Coach Erik Spoelstra needs a canary in the coal mine to sound off when something doesn’t smell right, and so much the better if that canary is 6-feet-8 and built of coil after knotted coil of barbed wire.”

It remains to be seen if UD's longtime teammate, Dwyane Wade, will follow suit and return for one more season. But with Haslem back in the fray, expect the Heat to continue that no-nonsense culture and be a legitimate contender in the eastern conference.