Haslem opts out of Heat contract, frees up cap space for Riley

Bleacher Report's Ethan Skolnick is reporting that Udonis Haslem will indeed opt out of his current Miami Heat contract that had a player option for $4.62 million next season.

As I've been reporting, Haslem -- now that he's opted out -- is open to extension with Miami. Wants to be here. Wheels in motion.

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) June 28, 2014

Haslem had already said he would consider returning to the Heat for a longer deal that could free up valuable cap space for Heat president Pat Riley to work with. Skolnick reasons Haslem could "take 3 years for $8-9M to clear another $1.5-1.9M in space" for this summer.

"It's something I would sit down and talk about with my family and Hank [agent Henry Thomas]," Haslem told the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson back in June about renegotiating, not long after turning 34.

Indeed, all of this (including LeBron opting out) seems going according to plan by the one with the slicked back hair...

Haslem, Bosh, Wade all have same representation. So, yes, plans are in concert. Freeing up money for Riley to work.

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) June 28, 2014

And to be very clear, Haslem is doing this to benefit the Heat (and get a little security), not to leave the Heat.

— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) June 28, 2014