Mavericks Make Offer To Haslem

By: Stephen Patterson

Mark Cuban is going to make it very hard for power forward Udonis Haslem to return to the Miami Heat at a discount. It's been reported that the Mavericks have offered Haslem a 3-year/$20 million contract. While Haslem would like to return to the Heat, where he has played his entire career, he would have to take a very steep discount to come back and play alongside the Big Three. Before this offer was made, I thought it was a certainty that he would re-sign with Miami for at least one more season. However, now I think it's maybe 60/40 that he stays with the Heat.

The Mavericks' offer is for the full mid-level exception and would give Haslem a starting salary of $5.85 million next season. While he would certainly be a reserve in Dallas, he would likely have the same role if he chose to stay with the Heat. More than likely, Chris Bosh will play power forward this season while the team adds a veteran center (Ilgauskas, O'Neal, Miller) or goes with one their rookies (Pittman, Varnardo). While Haslem would make better money with the Mavericks, I think he has the best opportunity for a championship with the Heat.

Haslem was a key member of the Heat when they won their only title in franchise history in 2006, and surprisingly, now faces a choice between the two teams that met that season in the Finals. Dwyane Wade is very close with Haslem, and I expect he will make a strong pitch to keep him in Miami. He will basically need to decide whether the decision is about money or winning. With a few more decent additions, Miami will clearly be a favorite for an NBA title this season.  While Dallas has been a perennial contender recently, they can never seem to seal the deal in the postseason, and I just can't see that changing with their current core.