NBA Free Agents Rumors: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat To Address Contract Issues?
The Miami Heat and disgruntled superstar Dwyane Wade remain far from reaching an agreement, but reports indicated that the two sides could meet next week to discuss a possible deal.
According to Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Wade and the Heat will attempt to address the contract issues next week after failed attempts in recent weeks.
Wade, who averaged 21.5 points on top of 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game last season, has until next week to decide whether or not he will opt in of the final year of his contract worth $16.1 million next season.
As it stands, Wade is expected to opt out and become an unrestricted free agent starting July 1 as he is looking for a long-term deal -- either from the Heat or another interested team.
Reports indicated that the Heat recently offered a three-year extension worth $10 million per season. The Heat are also considering offering a one-year extension worth $23.5 million for the 2016-17 NBA season.
The two sides are expected to sit down again to discuss a possible deal. But contrary to the ESPN report, Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel, citing sources close to the situation, reported that no meeting between Wade and Heat officials has been set next week.
Sources also indicated that Wade and Heat officials will only meet when the 33-year-old guard officially becomes a free agent. But from the looks of it, Wade will likely leave the Heat if he does not get the salary he is asking for. Wade's agent, Henry Thomas, recently cited Wade's previous decisions to take pay cut.
Heat forward Chris Bosh also opted out of his deal last season and eventually got a lucrative deal. Thomas admitted that Wade's situation is different because there are no outstanding max offers for his client, but he insisted that the 12-year veteran deserves a big paycheck for his contribution to the team since he was drafted in 2003.
"Obviously Dwyane wasn't in a position that Chris was in, in terms of having another team offer a maximum deal," Thomas said. "But the reality of this is he's played his entire career for Miami. He's done wonderful things in terms of the five titles that they played for, winning three of them. He's had a tremendous career."
Amid talks about his future in Miami, Wade is also being linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, who are reportedly interested in discussing a deal. The Cleveland Cavaliers were also mentioned as a potential destination, but the LeBron James-led team cannot sign him to a lucrative deal because of lack of cap space.
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