Heat Hire Udonis Haslem as Vice President of Basketball Development

When you think of Udonis Haslem, you immediately think of the Heat. That is the team with which he spent 20-year career, retiring at the end of last season at the age of 42.

Haslem, now 43, stayed on in a player development role, a similar role to the one he played in his final seasons with Miami. He just removed the jersey for a pair of sweats and a coaching whistle.

Now, that role will continue, but with a new title — as the Heat have hired Haslem as the vice president of basketball development, as relayed by Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Along with continuing to help develop players with both the Heat and Sioux Falls Skyforce of the G League, Haslem will represent the franchise “in the community and in business endeavors,” Winderman noted.

So basically, it’s anew title and perhaps some new responsibilities, which generally include an increase in pay.

Haslem was named to the All-Rookie team in 2003-04 and a member of three championship Heat teams (2006, 2012, 2013). He retired with career averages of 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds, appearing in 879 career games.

“Haslem has emphasized that he did not want to move into coaching, so now joins front office,” Winderman wrote. “His goal is an ownership stake. He has been practicing recently with the team.”