Miami – Udonis Haslam He is officially back with the Miami Heat.

Haslem signed another contract, the 10th of his career, with the Heat on Sunday, ensuring his return for his 19th season with Miami. This is a one-year contract worth approximately $2.8 million.

The 41-year-old will become the fifth player to spend a full career of at least 19 years with the franchise. Dirk Nowitzki spent all 21 seasons in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks, Kobe Bryant spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Tim Duncan 19 with the San Antonio Spurs and John Stockton He went 19 with the Utah Jazz.

Haslem has a unique role in Heat. Barely playing, he’s only made five appearances in the past two seasons, and only once last season. But Heat coach Eric Spoelstra sees it as essential for a number of reasons, including the example he’s set in practice for other players and how much the Miami native appreciates the role of captain for his hometown team.

“Udonis Haslam has agreed to come back and play the game he loves so much,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement announcing the signing. “What you love most is being on the field studying and competing against the best in the world. You are a player with a legacy… one player, one city, one team. Thank you, for once again leading your city, your organization and your team.”

Haslem was the oldest player to enter a game last season, about two and a half years older than Anderson Fargau. He is currently the eleventh oldest player to appear in a game in NBA history and will move on to the seventh player Charles JonesStockton, Herb Williams LLC Bob Cozy, if you entered a game at any time after November 8.

That would leave Nat Hickey alone, Kevin WillisAnd Robert Parish“Vince Carter” Dikembe Mutombo NS Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ahead of Haslem in the list of the oldest players in the NBA.

Haslem’s only appearance last season was memorable. He scored four points, rebounded, sent a hit, received two technical fouls and was sent off against Philadelphia 76ers on May 13, all within two minutes and 40 seconds.

‘If it was the latter,’ said Haslem, ‘I ended the matter the only way Odonis Haslem could: by expulsion.’

Haslem is one of only two players – Dwyane Wade is the other – to have appeared on all three teams for the NBA Championship in Miami. Haslem is the only player to have competed with the Heat in six rounds of the Eastern Conference Championship. He tops the franchise’s all-time list in the rebound, ranks second in games and minutes played and seventh in scoring.