Dwyane Wade isn't the only so-called #HeatLifer who may be exploring NBA life somewhere else after 13 seasons.
Udonis Haslem is a free agent also.
And while Haslem naturally falls behind Wade in the Heat's pecking order, his contract situation is hardly absent importance.
The Heat's handling of it speaks to the premium it does -- or doesn't -- put on "family" and "culture," two principles that Pat Riley, Micky Arison, Nick Arison and Alonzo Mourning are certain to tout in their meeting with Kevin Durant on Sunday.
As has been well-documented, Haslem has left millions on the table over the years to accommodate the Heat's other desires, most notably in 2010 when the Nuggets came calling, but also in 2014, when he opted out of the $4.6 million remaining on the last season of his deal and then had to opt back in to two years at $5.4 million.
Now he's a free agent again, after playing a total of 99 games and 1255 minutes over the past two seasons. And other teams, including Minnesota and Denver, have expressed at least preliminary interest, looking for a professional who can help mentor their young players on and off the court.
The Heat is limited in its salary cap space -- it has approximately $20 million left after agreeing to terms with Hassan Whiteside and prior to moving Josh McRoberts. It has no agreement with Wade yet, and that keeps getting more complicated as lesser players (Evan Fournier, Evan Turner) are getting long-term deals averaging $17 million or more.
Oh, and if the team lands Durant, it will need some of that cap space if it makes the two mandatory moves -- dealing McRoberts and Goran Dragic.
So if using cap space isn't an option, the only way to repay Haslem for all he's done for the organization, time after time, is give him the $2.9 salary cap exception rather than hold it for some outside veteran. That's roughly in line what Haslem is believed to be seeking -- close to what he got last season, and a modest raise over the veteran minimum for a player of his tenure, expected to be $1.55 million.
This is where many will point out that Haslem played only 37 games and 260 minutes last season, averaging 1.6 points and 2.0 rebounds. And, of course, at 36 years old and after a foot surgery from which he probably returned too soon to help the team in 2010, he's not what he was in his 20s. And sure, Miami is likely to need more outside shooting, with limited vehicles to acquire it, making the $2.9 million more valuable. (Though it's hard to imagine that a wing of any quality will take that, in light of the incredible salary inflation so far.)
But here are some counter arguments to consider:
-- Haslem did average 8.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per 36 minutes last season, even though his usage was sporadic and often with the Heat otherwise undermanned. Those numbers are actually right in line with his career averages per 36 minutes (10.9 and 9.6, respectively), suggesting that his game hasn't slipped as much as his playing time has. In games that he played at least 10 minutes, the Heat went 6-2. And when the Heat needed him in the playoffs, particularly against the Hornets, he gave them good stints; he was part of the group that, with Wade, helped save Game 6 in Charlotte.
-- Teammates and team officials consistently identify Haslem as the primary locker room adviser for (and at times, taskmaster towards) Hassan Whiteside, who may require even more mentoring now that he is receiving a massive (2000 percent) salary spike. Without Haslem, more of this burden would fall on Wade (provided he's around) and Chris Bosh (provided he's available to play), not to mention Erik Spoelstra, who has enough on his plate. That's not ideal. Wade and Bosh seemed weary of the Whiteside questions last season. At least Haslem can do it in private, without reporters pestering him.
-- The team will need a new motto if Haslem goes. You can't continue to push #HeatLifer and "family first" when everyone in the family is pushed out the door soon as you're a little low on turkey and stuffing. Mario Chalmers wasn't feeling so familial prior to being traded last season, complaining about the lack of communication. After Miami dealt Chris Andersen to escape luxury tax penalties, Wade and Haslem are the last two standing from the Big Three era of 2010 through 2014, let alone from 2003 forward. If Haslem, of all people -- with his strong ties to South Florida and his legendary unselfishness -- leaves feeling slighted, the Heat will need a new narrative. Certainly, #HeatLifer won't be something they can sell to future free agents.
-- Wade wants him back. Badly. The star shooting guard has made it clear repeatedly that he wants to finish his career with Haslem, with whom he considers a co-caretaker of the culture, and he wants Haslem to feel some reward for all he's done for the team and his teammates. Would this be a deciding factor for Wade as he weighs his own situation? That's hard to say. The Heat need to pay Wade either way. But it's a factor. And right now, every factor matters.