The future of Udonis Haslem with the Miami Heat remains uncertain at this point, but the veteran power forward believes that he has an unfinished business in South Beach.
Haslem will become a free agent next month and it is still unclear whether or not the Heat would sign him to a new deal this summer. But according to team president Pat Riley, Haslem wants to stay and mentor their young players.
While Riley didn't specify if Haslem will return as a player next year, the veteran executive hinted that the 39-year-old might handle his “unfinished business” in another capacity.
“He told me that he's not finished yet with these guys,” Riley said, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.. “He feels like he could do some more mentoring and that can be done in any capacity, whether he wants to play or it's in another capacity.”
Riley added that he sees a lot of potential on Haslem in coaching, saying that he would be an “exceptional coach” in the league. The former champion head coach compared Haslem to former NBA star Juwan Howard, who served as an assistant with the Heat before accepting the head coaching job at Michigan.
Haslem has played his entire 16-year career in Miami, winning three championships alongside retired Heat superstar Dwyane Wade. He saw his minutes dwindle in the past four seasons, as the team prioritized giving exposure to young big men like Hassan Whiteside and Bam Adebayo.
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