The Miami Heat and Dwyane Wade are at odds over how to move forward on a contract and Wade could opt out and test free agency this summer and this comes as the team is looking to sign back Goran Dragic after his trade this season, but he decides not to return, Miami could chase Rajon Rondo on the free agent market.
Since the regular season ended there have been reports about the two sides not being able to agree on compensation moving forward. According to Miami Herald, the team does not want to get hamstrung by a massive contract for an aging player, while Wade is looking for a three year deal worth around $20 million per season. Wade has "hinted" that he will opt out in free agency, but that could be a threat to try and get Miami to meet his demands.
According to the Herald's report, Wade wants a contract that makes up for him taking less money in the past from the team, while Miami wants to avoid "limited financial flexibility." CBS Sports reported that the team wants to chase Kevin Durant in 2016 free agency and that is why they do not want to pay Wade huge money. The team reportedly offered Wade a deal for three years and around $36 million and they are hoping he opts out of his deal and takes a "below market offer."
Wade has taken less money multiple times in the past and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes that Wade is "upset" about how the team is dealing with his contract issues. Wade and the team still have time to work out a deal, as Wade does not have to opt out yet, but that date is coming up soon. Wade has a player option for $16 million next year and it comes after he took less money from the team so Miami could keep the roster together. Wade also took less money to help the team sign Chris Bosh and LeBron James
Wade is 33 years old and Miami still needs to bring back Goran Dragic and in the future they also have to sign Hassan Whiteside to a new deal. Reports have Miami looking to chase Kevin Durant in free agency and keeping Wade's salary down will help them do that with the other contracts on the horizon. It's hard to imagine Wade leaving Miami after spending his entire career there, but if the team takes too much of a business approach to negotiations with the franchise star, he could push things to the limit and test the market.
Pro Basketball Talk and the Miami Herald have reported that the return of Dragic is likely after his trade from Phoenix this past season. Dragic has said to the media that the extra year Miami can offer is "important" and he is very likely to return on a max deal. But if for some reason that doesn't happen, Miami could go after Rajon Rondo and sign him for less than Dragic and that could help the team chase Durant in the future and keep Wade now. The Miami situation is fluid and Wade's intentions could become fully clear very soon.
