Boca Raton, FL – With the basketball world still left in awe as Giannis Antetokounmpo starts a new journey with the Miami Heat after the blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason, the star is still looking to get acclimated to his new team. As Antetokounmpo and other new faces join the Heat, one person within the organization who is helping the gelling process is former player Udonis Haslem, as the two-time MVP spoke about the early relationship being built.

As was seen last week during Miami's training camp at Florida Atlantic University, Haslem was seen working with the big men on the team, including Bam Adebayo, Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis Jr., and Nick Richards.

Giannis Antetokounmpo at #FAU for the Miami #Heat’s first day of training camp. Here’s him and other bigs working with Udonis Haslem. pic.twitter.com/eHSMpU9OhK

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) September 29, 2026

Heat's Giannis Antetokounmpo on working with Udonis Haslem

If there is someone that has been considered a flag-bearer for the famed “Heat Culture” throughout the years, Haslem is easily one of them. Having played with the franchise for 20 seasons, he made his presence known, holding the team's all-time rebounds record and winning three titles with Miami, encapsulating the tough and energetic tone that the Heat wants to set every season.

While Haslem has acted as a mentor for someone like Adebayo, he's looking to help Antetokounmpo become comfortable with his new surroundings after 13 seasons with the Bucks. Antetokounmpo would reveal to ClutchPoints what has gone a “long way” in his time with Haslem.

“He's great, he's honest, he's tough,” Antetokounmpo said last Wednesday. “Obviously, like being around the organization for 20-plus years, it brings value to the team as a player and to other guys that can come in and, like, coaches and give us advice. So far, I love it. You know, he always comes to me and sits with me and, like, tells me how I feel, what I felt about practicing. Sometimes just that little interaction helps you. You know, it goes a long way. So I'm looking forward to getting to know him more.”

Asked Giannis of what it’s been like so far interacting with Udonis Haslem: #Heat

“He's great, honest, tough…So far, I love it. he always comes to me and sit with me and like tell me how feel what I felt about practicing. Sometimes just that little interaction helps you…” pic.twitter.com/WMACclVEpU

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) September 30, 2026

Someone who has seen Haslem up close and personal for those 20 seasons has been Erik Spoelstra, whether it be as an assistant or head coach.

“It’s incredible that he still jumps out on the court with these guys after practice,” Spoelstra said. “It just shows you his level of wanting to serve and be a mentor and just help. He’s able to express that the best when he’s out there bumping and hitting guys; that’s his language. That’s their language as well.”

Heat's Bobby Portis Jr. sees a lot of similarities with Udonis Haslem

One of the other newcomers to work with Haslem has been Portis, who said to ClutchPoints that the two share many similarities with one another. For anybody who has seen the physicality that Portis brings, they know the comparisons are appropriate.

“Me and UD [Haslem] are kind of similar in using our voice and being a leader and things like that, so it’s been fun to have him around,” Portis said last Tuesday. “Obviously, the last couple of days, man, I’ve been hanging out, especially in practice, giving me little pointers, trying to pick up on things a little faster. Obviously, I’m new to the system with the cutting and spacing back out and things like that. So I’m trying to get acclimated to it. So I think it’s good to have guys that’s already been here, that know the system, that can help the new guys.”

Asked Bobby Portis Jr. after the #Heat's first day of training camp at #FAU about working with and developing a relationship with Udonis Haslem.

Spoke about hanging out with him off the court and picking his brain on the court.

Video: @CyroAsseo pic.twitter.com/RT5t6vOG9s

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) September 29, 2026

Article Continues Below

Haslem has been around the team in every facet, whether it's on the court or within the front office, as he has the title of Vice President of Basketball Development.

Heat's Nick Richards on “soaking” information from Udonis Haslem

While the roles of Antetokounmpo and Portis are defined, Richards is another story, as he signed with Miami on a one-year non-guaranteed contract. If Richards makes the Heat's roster for the regular-season opener on Oct. 21 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, his salary will be guaranteed, and there's no denying that he could relate to Haslem in carving out a role on the team.

“Just soaking it all in with him,” Richards said to ClutchPoints last Thursday. “You know, UD, he’s got all the wisdom in the world, man. So you know he's seen every situation. He's seen everything, and when it comes to playing basketball, he probably has the most knowledge in here other than the coaches; he's always a guy not scared to tell you what you're doing wrong, he's not scared to correct you, he's not scared to give you advice; he's been very helpful, especially for me.”

At any rate, Antetokounmpo and the rest look to continue building a bond with Haslem as the Heat look to reach new heights this upcoming season. The hope is to bring back a championship to Miami, which Haslem has helped do three times.