Dwyane Wade is speaking about the Miami Heat in past tense which is not offering up much optimism that the star plans on returning to the franchise as contract negotiations are an issue. Wade has the opportunity to become a free agent this offseason if he declines his player option and he is sounding more and more like someone that wants a change of location, or at least a change in pay grade. However, several teams might not be willing to meet his demands.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Wade is looking to opt out and get a lucrative three-year contract similar to what players like Kobe Bryant have signed. Jackson is reporting an average salary of $20 million is what Wade believes he is worth and the Heat are not agreeing. As the two sides stand at an impasse regarding his contract situation, Wade went on ESPN to speak about the team in past tense.
When asked about the mindset of entering a Game 6, Wade began his sentence by saying, "When I was in Miami..." That has left most of Twitter freaking out that Wade is planning on bolting for more cash in the offseason. During Game 2, Wade tip toed around his contract status saying, "Well, listen, it's summer time. So when summer time and free agency [come together], it's going to be a lot of talk. And right now, I'm glad that the Finals is going and we're here. And we'll worry about that in July. Right now, we're going to focus on these Finals."
Wade has been linked to both the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks in free agency. However, Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com is reporting that while a duo of Carmelo Anthony and Wade is enticing, the Knicks will not meet Wade on those contract demands. The team is looking to spend big on a defender like Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge or Marc Gasol while also looking for help at the point guard position. They will not be spending money on an aging veteran like Wade.
According to Bleacher Report, that will be the norm for Wade should he opt out and continue with the same contract demands. Wade called himself a "HeatLifer" on Twitter after signing a two-year, $31 million deal last year. However, the star is tired of taking pay cuts. The question is whether or not someone will offer him more than the $16.1 million option he has in his name. The Heat need Wade to opt in to complete their bigger picture which involves keeping both Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside. It all hinges on whether or not the star opts in.
