The longest tenured player in the NBA is Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem, who has been with the Heat organization for an incredible 19 seasons.
An NBA career of 19 seasons is incredible in its own right, but doing so with one organization is something we have rarely seen in NBA history.
It appears that his NBA career will not be coming to an end just yet, as Haslem announced at his youth camp that he will sign a new deal with the Heat, and return for his 20th season in the league. That’s according to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
This deal will make Haslem tied for the second longest tenure with one team in NBA history. This 20th season ties him with the late Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers, and puts him only one season behind former Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki.
At this point in Haslem’s career, he does not play all that much of a role on the court for the Heat. He only appeared in 17 games combined in the last three seasons.
That being said, he serves a key role as an on-court coach for the Heat. And he provides one of the most important locker room presences in the NBA.
Many around the NBA world are praising both the Heat for bringing him back, as well as Haslem for his commitment to the sport.
GOAT Locker Room Guy, and a chasm between him and whoever is No. 2 https://t.co/vmUr95LCFz
— Patrick Hruby (@patrick_hruby) August 21, 2022
Udonis Haslem has appeared in just 95 games over the last seven regular seasons.
The only player in NBA history to appear in fewer games over a seven-season span in which he played in at least one game each season is Randy Livingston (47, 2000-01 to 2006-07). https://t.co/JENNV9u8gh
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) August 21, 2022
While some could argue that Haslem’s return to the NBA takes away a roster spot from a player that could produce more on the court for Miami, his presence in the locker room has clearly worked for the organization.
The Heat have been a consistent playoff contender in the Eastern Conference for the past three seasons, so Haslem’s lack of production on the court clearly hasn’t hindered them one bit.
The NBA is extremely different than the league that Haslem entered in the 2003-04 NBA season, but he clearly believes there is a little gas left in the tank of his basketball career.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.