Chris Gatling's stressful summer vacation is over. And no one is more relieved than his new Heat teammates and coach.
Gatling, like other high-profile free agents, turned down suitors, including the Heat, looking for bargains ($1 million minimum) as owners tried to stay under the impending luxury tax limit. His waning patience paid off in a three-year, $8.4 million contract, but not without another price.
"It's been mentally straining, I lost a lot of hair and a lot of friends, as in [agent] Jeff Wechsler," joked Gatling, 34, who's known for wearing a headband around his bald pate. "I'm glad it's behind me now and I can move forward."