from Marc Stein's twitter
"Add Denver to list of teams making STRONG push for Udonis Haslem. Sources say Nuggets also offering deal starting at $5.8M MLE. Link to come"
Haslem has always been a surprisingly decent player that never got too much publicity or attention. He plays PF, but he is only 6 foot 8, meaning he is the same size as Carmelo Anthony and basically Kenyon Martin as well. I wouldn't say Haslem is undersized, but he's definitely average in terms of height for the 4.
Thoughts?
[Edit - Here's the full story]
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5374210
Add the Denver Nuggets to the list of teams making a strong push for Miami's Udonis Haslem.
Sources close to the situation said the Nuggets, after being foiled in their pursuit of Jermaine O'Neal, have extended a multiyear offer to Haslem that starts at the $5.8 million mid-level exception.
The Dallas Mavericks have made a similar offer and New Jersey has also shown interest in Haslem, who has been a fixture in Miami for the past seven seasons.
The Nuggets have an even greater need than Dallas for Haslem. Two of Denver's key big men, Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen, recently underwent surgical procedures that will rule them out for the start of the season.
ESPNDallas.com reported Sunday night that Haslem is giving Dallas' pitch strong consideration, despite the fact that the Heat are lobbying him hard to stay for less money and play with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Denver, Dallas and New Jersey can all outbid Miami. But it's believed that Haslem's strong ties to south Florida, as well as his close friend Wade, will make it difficult for any team to lure him away from the Heat if the money is at least close. The Heat are trying to divide their remaining salary cap space between Haslem and sharpshooter Mike Miller.
Team president Pat Riley has often said that he wants Haslem to be a Heat lifer, such is the regard for the gritty forward's contributions to Miami's title team in 2006. Haslem, 30, earned $7.1 million last season and has averaged 10 points and 8.1 rebounds for his career.
