Udonis Haslem telegraphed throughout last season that 2018-19 would be his last. It made sense, too. Not only were his days as a worthwhile NBA contributor clearly finished, but it would have been poetic for the Miami Heat's longtime big man to hang it up alongside Dwyane Wade, too.

Haslem reversed course on Tuesday, though, signing a one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum to remain with Miami and extend his playing career. Asked to explain his change of heart, the 17-year veteran made clear that he hopes to give those who helped him reach the NBA, not to mention Heat fans, a proper opportunity to bid him farewell.

“For me, if it was just all about my decision, whenever that decision needs to be made, I’ll just not come back and tell the coaching staff and tell the organization and not make it a thing. But I do understand at some point, there’s a lot of people that sacrificed to see me be in this situation — my parents, a lot of family support, a lot of support around the city,” Haslem said, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

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“So when that time does come, those people deserve the opportunity to know that that’s that time and to have some more access and engage more when my last game or my last situation is. Not giving people that opportunity last year, I feel like I shorted a lot of people who supported me throughout the situation.”
Haslem signed with the Heat in 2003 after going undrafted the previous year. He's been with the team ever since, winning three championship rings and establishing himself as a living embodiment of the organization's unflinching culture of commitment and hard work. The 39-year-old is the Heat’s all-time leader in total rebounds, offensive rebounds, and defensive rebounds.