Udonis Haslem laughs off the trade rumors

[Dr Cracker]

MIAMI – If Heat forward Udonis Haslem is the subject of trade speculation as Miami looks to land a much-needed upgrade at center, it's news to him.

“I haven't heard anything. Did I miss something?” Haslem said Thursday after a workout on the first day players were allowed in team facilities in the wake of the NBA's tentative lockout settlement. “Put me up on it. What's out there? Once they said the lockout was over I stopped watching TV.”

Haslem's name has been floated in trade scenarios at points throughout his eight-year NBA career with the Heat, but he also has been considered a cornerstone of the franchise during his time with his hometown team. The Heat are looking to add a center to address the biggest area of need after losing in six games to the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals last season.

Among the trade rumors making the rounds involves Haslem being packed with Mike Miller in a sign-and-trade deal with Denver to acquire free agent forward/center Nene. Ironically, Haslem turned down a more lucrative free agent contract offer from the Nuggets last season to re-sign with the Heat to play alongside LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.

Haslem said Henry Thomas, his Chicago-based agent, hasn't mentioned anything about trade possibilities or any desire from the Heat to deal him elsewhere.

Haslem also scoffed at that suggestion of going to Denver, and joked if he were headed to Denver he would have been much better off taking the Nuggets offer a year ago. Haslem turned down a full mid-level contract that would have paid him $34 million over five seasons to accept much less from Miami.

“If I was going to Denver, they should have let me go last year,” Haslem said, half-jokingly. “I could have got the extra $14 million. I would have just signed there last year, instead of sending me there now for $14 million less. I would (feel) cheated.”

Haslem was a starter on Miami's championship team in 2006 and has accepted a backup role each of the past two seasons, first behind since-departed No. 2 overall pick Michael Beasley in 2009-10 before taking a reserve role behind Bosh last season.

Haslem missed most of last season to recover from foot surgery and said Thursday that he should be completely healed and ready to practice without limitations when training camps open on Dec. 9. The Heat also spent much of the season without Miller, who also suffered several injuries and is now recovering from hernia surgery that will sideline him for four-to-eight weeks.

But Haslem said he hopes both he and Miller remain with the Heat and get a chance to show what their impact could be when healthy.

“The bottom line is I make this team better,” Haslem said. “It's up to the people upstairs to make those decisions. But the decisions that's being made, I can't control those. I can't control the rumblings. Rumors, you can't control. Trades, you can't control. All I can control is how hard I worked to come back from this injury.”

Haslem worked out for close to two hours on the court with Bosh and Heat free agent forward James Jones. Haslem said he expects James and Wade to join the workouts in the next few days. For now, Haslem is just happy to be able to be free of pain for the first time in 12 months.

“Sometimes, you just tend to take your health for granted,” Haslem said. “You expect to wake up and be pain free every day. But that's not your right, you know what I mean? I'm finally ready to go.”

[HEATVols865]

“The bottom line is I make this team better,” Haslem said.

Easy there UD! You ain't Michael Jordan and there are plenty of guys that do the same things you do out there...

[EscapoTHB]

There really aren't though. Especially not for that price.

[Vertical Limit]

There really aren't though. Especially not for that price.

This. And pretty sure we don't go to the Finals without Haslem stepping up big for us against Chicago.

[LEIF]

“The bottom line is I make this team better,” Haslem said.

Easy there UD! You ain't Michael Jordan and there are plenty of guys that do the same things you do out there...

are you serious? you just dont get it do you. I have said it before and I will say it again. If we arent recieving D12, CP3 etc UDONIS HASLEM IS UNTOUCHABLE. got it?

if you trade UD and fail to win a title, I guarentee GUARENTEE Wade & Lebron would resent our franchise and it would be the beginning of the end long term. think thats a dramatic statement? think again.

that is how important Udonis Haslem is. How many times do we have to go over the great lengths Wade went to to make sure UD could stay? Wade wasnt doing that for just any random hustle role player.

[TMIMITW]

He is correct he does make this team Better, emotional, chemistry, morale and definitely on the court. What a leader for stepping up and being that! He aint Iverson " PRACTICE!!!! How am I suppose to make my team better, we talking about practice!" lol

[EscapoTHB]

Even injured last year I'd argue Haslem was one of our leaders and helped keep the team together under a lot of criticism.

Healthy he gives us the best 4 rotation in the league.

And that end of game lineup with him and Bosh at the 4 and 5 is pretty damn special on both ends. Haslem is a big reason why we beat the Bulls in the playoffs this year. We need him. More than we need Nene.

[WD]

“The bottom line is I make this team better,” Haslem said.

Easy there UD! You ain't Michael Jordan and there are plenty of guys that do the same things you do out there...

are you serious? you just dont get it do you. I have said it before and I will say it again. If we arent recieving D12, CP3 etc UDONIS HASLEM IS UNTOUCHABLE. got it?

if you trade UD and fail to win a title, I guarentee GUARENTEE Wade & Lebron would resent our franchise and it would be the beginning of the end long term. think thats a dramatic statement? think again.

that is how important Udonis Haslem is. How many times do we have to go over the great lengths Wade went to to make sure UD could stay? Wade wasnt doing that for just any random hustle role player.

You better believe I am going to be monitoring this - for what we are paying him, for what he does, he is virtually untouchable - IMO

BUT - PAT RILEY runs this team

[Lord Hades]

There really aren't though. Especially not for that price.

This. And pretty sure we don't go to the Finals without Haslem stepping up big for us against Chicago.

I don't know why people that claim to pay attention to this team overlook this. UD completely changed the tone of that series in Game 2. He's right to laugh this off.

[Pimpwerx]

UD is half of heart of this franchise. Wade is the other. UD is like Jeter. He's not the best player at his position, possibly even on his own team, but he's an emotional leader and Game2 of the Chicago series exemplified that. You don't trade Jeter. You don't trade UD. PEACE.

[GreenHat]

There really aren't though. Especially not for that price.

This. And pretty sure we don't go to the Finals without Haslem stepping up big for us against Chicago.

I'm pretty sure we still go without him.

Unless you think Haslem by himself is worth 3 games (which he's not)

Haslem is underpaid but he would be overpaid at a full MLE. If we can get a good trade for him I would do it.

[Rodrizzle]

I hope he isnt traded. He deserves to be a Heater for life

[Chosen01]

There really aren't though. Especially not for that price.

This. And pretty sure we don't go to the Finals without Haslem stepping up big for us against Chicago.

I'm pretty sure we still go without him.

Unless you think Haslem by himself is worth 3 games (which he's not)

Haslem is underpaid but he would be overpaid at a full MLE. If we can get a good trade for him I would do it.

Heat would have lost game 2 if not for Haslem, then what? Down 0-2...who knows what would have happened after that.

[ninjabelly]

“The bottom line is I make this team better,” Haslem said.

Easy there UD! You ain't Michael Jordan and there are plenty of guys that do the same things you do out there...

you're such a troll.

UD is untouchable, and deserves to be a heater for life.