October 27, a date immortalized in Miami Heat’s history as Dwyane Wade witnessed one of his iconic moments set in stone. Yet, while Wade soaked in the honor, a new conversation has begun: Who should be the next to receive a statue? Wade has an opinion on it. Though he believes his lifelong friend and teammate Udonis Haslem is deserving of such recognition in Miami, the 3x champion couldn’t help but name three other NBA greats.

Following Wade’s big moment, Ira Winderman of the Heat Beat shared an interesting tidbit from his chat with Dwyane Wade. When asked who he thought should get the next NBA statue, Wade didn’t hesitate. His response: “LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant.” It’s hard to argue with that lineup. These three players have left an indelible mark on the game, reshaping the sport and cementing their legacies as future Hall of Famers.

LeBron James is perhaps the most obvious of the three. His resume speaks for itself: four-time NBA champion, four-time league MVP, 20-time All-Star, and the list goes on. With championship rings from Miami, Cleveland, and Los Angeles, any of these teams could easily raise a statue in his honor.

Steph Curry is another name that requires little debate. The 10-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion changed the way the game is played, spreading the floor with his signature shooting. A lifelong Golden State Warrior, Curry’s impact on the game is undeniable, and it’s only a matter of time before a statue of him graces the Bay Area.

As for Kevin Durant, he’s already a 14-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion, and an Olympic scoring legend. While his career has seen him play for multiple teams, Golden State seems the most fitting place for a statue. After all, it was alongside Curry that Durant helped the Warriors secure back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018.

But for the Miami Heat, Wade has his eyes on one.

Dwyane Wade believes Udonis Haslem is second to none off court

Just a day before his big day, Dwyane Wade sat down for an interview with REVOLVE. Naturally, the question came up: Who else deserves to have a statue beside him? Without hesitation, Wade answered, “It would be Udonis Haslem. His work that he’s done on the basketball court is hand in hand with what I’ve done. And I feel like what he’s done off the court has been second to none.”

Going undrafted in 2002 could have been the end of his NBA dream, but Haslem had other plans. Signing with his hometown team, he poured his heart into the Heat for 20 seasons, helping the team to three championships – 2006, 2012, and 2013. And the No.40 holds just as much love for the franchise. He is one of only three players to have played at least 20 seasons with one franchise. The other two? Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki. But what makes UD’s story even more special is that he did it all in his hometown.

Wade summed it up best: “I think his impact in Miami, period, is something that’s to live on way beyond his lifetime.”

Haslem is the Vice President of Basketball Development now, but he wishes to hold a bit of a bigger role going further – a part-owner of the team. “It’s not an easy task, but that’s still the goal… the end-all be-all for me.”