It looks like the Miami Heat will be without one of their elder statesmen for the rest of the preseason schedule.
Udonis Haslem is entering his 17th season with the team, a span that dates back to Dwyane Wade’s rookie season.
Last season, the power forward was strongly leaning towards retirement, but in August it was announced that he had signed a one year contract to remain with the Heat.
At the time, he even hinted that the 2019-20 season may not be his last season.
Haslem has seen his numbers plunge across the board the last four seasons as he’s played a more limited role than he has in the past.
However, he should be a valuable influence on a team that features several young prospects and a new star in Jimmy Butler.
The Heat have three preseason games remaining. They host the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, and will travel to central Florida to face the Orlando Magic on Thursday before closing out the exhibition season in Miami on Friday against the Houston Rockets.
If Haslem only misses about a week, he should be ready to suit up for the team’s regular-season opener on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at home against the Memphis Grizzlies.