According to Michael Cunningham of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Heat fans may have some good news regards to forward Udonis Haslem.

Saying he is willing to sign a Heat contract for less than what he might earn on the open market, forward Haslem expressed optimism he would re-sign with the team.

Haslem, speaking Wednesday morning on 790 AM The Ticket (WAXY), said Atlanta and Cleveland expressed an interest in offering him a free-agent contract but that he prefers to return to the Heat, which signed the Miami native and University of Florida product after he played a season in France.

Haslem said he's grateful to the team for giving him a chance.

"I am forever thankful to those guys and if we can get anything close to a deal done, something around the range of what I should get, even if it's not as much, I will be glad to take it," Haslem said.

Heat President Pat Riley has said re-signing Haslem, the starting power forward, is a priority.