The Miami Heat have money issues and most of it revolves around Dwyane Wade. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, negotiations with the veteran are not going well as the team would prefer Wade opt in on his $16 million player option while the star would prefer to get a pay raise instead. As the two sides continue to remain at odds with free agency around the corner, are the Heat trying to set themselves up for a big run in 2016?
According to Dan Le Batard of the Miami Herald, the Heat are planning on chasing Kevin Durant in 2016. Get in line, Miami. Le Batard reports that the Heat's master plan is to re-sign Goran Dragic to a max deal, re-Sign Hassan Whiteside and then have enough cap flexibility to chase Durant with a max contract as well. All of this is dependent on Wade opting in on his player option and then waiting for a new contract when he is officially a free agent. Luol Deng also plays a role as he decides whether or not to opt in on another year in South Beach.
Le Batard's report is making it sound like the Heat are putting all of their eggs in the Durant basket which could be extremely risky. Durant has yet to say a word regarding his upcoming free agency stint other than he is committed to Oklahoma City. The Thunder star will be the apple of every team's eye. The Washington Post reported that they believe Durant to Wizards is a done deal while the Thunder would prefer to keep their star as they begin a new era with Billy Donovan. That uncertainty should have the Heat eyeing other options outside of the former MVP.
The Heat have a lot of options they must sift through. Dragic will not settle for anything less than a max deal. If Wade opts out of his contract, Miami might be forced to release Deng in order to keep the shooting guard on the roster. Meanwhile they still need free agent help this season while they wait for Durant's availability. According to the Palm Beach Post, the Heat will not be able to target stars like Greg Monroe or Marc Gasol to help in the frontcourt because of money issues, but they could afford players like Corey Brewer, DeMarre Carroll or possibly Roy Hibbet who they have eyed in the past.