Windhorst: As Miami Heat talks stall, Dwyane Wade to test free agency

Dwyane Wade re-signing with the Miami Heat seemed like a foregone conclusion. Is it, though?

Initial contract talks between the Miami Heat and Dwyane Wade have come to standstill and the veteran guard will test free agency, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

"Sources told ESPN.com that Wade’s representatives have made it known to multiple teams over the last several days that he will be on the market. Some teams have been skeptical, wondering if Wade would seriously consider leaving the franchise where he has played 13 seasons and won three titles."

At first glance, this is reminiscent of last season when the Heat and Wade went back and forth for an uncomfortable amount of time until the two sides settled on a one-year, $20 million deal.

Wade played in 74 games this past season, averaging 19 points, 4.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game in what was largely an impressive season. At 34, it was the most games Wade has played in five seasons. He looked spry and as if he has moved on the knee issues that have bothered him for the last several years.

More from Heat Free Agency

• Heat should target Kelly Olynyk, three more former players to round out roster
• Best remaining free agents to fill out the Miami Heat’s roster
• Goran Dragic reveals if he wants to return to the Miami Heat
• Miami Heat could revisit these former players in free agency
• 3 Shocking free agent signings that actually make sense for the Miami Heat

Earlier in the season, Wade said he didn’t want to go through the free agency process again. (H/t RealGM.com)

“The whole free agency thing, I didn’t want to be in it last summer; I don’t want to be in it this summer,” he said. “I don’t want to be on the market at all…. I’m not curious at all. I want to get to it [with the Heat]. I want to be able to sign my deal and move on and not have to deal with any rumors, any free agency, any this, any that. This is where I want to end my career. So we’ll figure it out.”

This quote from about four months ago is in stark contrast to the Windhorst report. Of course, this could be (and in my guess likely is) positioning by Wade’s agent.

The Heat won’t have much cap room, with just over $42 million to spend with both Wade and Hassan Whiteside coming off the books. That doesn’t include Miami’s hope to lure Kevin Durant to South Beach, either. It’s unclear how much the Heat can and will be willing to offer Wade, but it doesn’t seem likely that they’ll be able to match his $20 million salary of last season.

We’ll see what happens but, for both the Heat and Wade’s sake, hopefully this can be sorted out quickly and painlessly.