Report: Dwyane Wade Open To Leaving Miami Heat
By Wes Goldberg
Dwyane Wade is thought of as a “Heat Lifer” so Thursday’s report from the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson that Wade is open to leaving Miami came as a shock to Heat nation.
"The Heat and Dwyane Wade have been discussing potential resolutions of his contract situation and there’s a significant difference in what both parties believe he should be paid for the next three seasons, according to multiple sources.Though Wade prefers to stay with the Heat, where he has spent his entire 12-year career, he is now open to considering other teams this summer if the Heat does not raise its offer, according to three sources with direct knowledge."
Wade has until late June to decide if he will opt out of the final year of a contract that would pay him $16.1 million next season. If he opts out, it would be to seek a long term deal. The money being discussed in such a long term contract, is presumably the issue.
Miami wants to maintain cap flexibility for 2016, when prime free agents (and Hassan Whiteside) become free agents. Signing Wade to a multi-year deal worth around $20 million now would limit what they can do in future summers.
According to Jackson, Wade is seeking a three-year deal that would keep him signed through his 36th birthday. One could assume that 36-year mark could be his retirement milestone.
Jackson continues…
"Regardless of whether Wade opts out or not, there is believed to be a sizable gap between what Wade would like over the next three seasons and what the Heat would prefer to pay him.Wade’s agent, Henry Thomas, declined to discuss the gap in negotiations, the chances of Wade leaving the Heat or whether Wade definitely will opt out."
Now, to me, this sounds like a lot of agent hoopla. Wade wants more money over more years and the Heat are probably willing to give him the more years, but not ruin their cap situation. The Heat would reportedly be content with Wade opting in and taking the $16.1 million and dealing with it next year. If Wade wants a long term deal, he will probably get it. However, as Jackson points out, it’s not as if Wade is looking for Kobe Bryant money. So we’re looking at something in between. A compromise.
Some believe Wade and his agents are bluffing in order to gain leverage in negotiations. It’s important to remember that Wade met with the Chicago Bulls in the summer of 2010 prior to the Big Three coming together. There was a time when many Heat fans believed Wade was leaving. Negotiations are the nature of the beast, and using the press to get a message out is a classic move.
However, don’t disregard these reports. Where there is smoke, there’s fire. From the sound of it, Wade wants a long-term commitment. The Heat should be willing to give it to him, but at a certain price. Somewhere closer to $10 million than $20 million, or even the current salary he is due.
Who knows what happens, but Wade’s potential free agency should not be taken lightly. After all, Heat fans know better than that.