While the Miami Heat continue to negotiate the now uncertain future of Dwyane Wade, they are also trying to work towards getting other free agency needs taken care of before the market officially opens on July 1. The Heat plan on being aggressive in free agency, but more so to retain their own players before being forced to chase other options. That starts with Goran Dragic who is considered a top point guard and will be heavily pursued in the offseason if the Heat cannot keep him in South Beach.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Heat will offer Dragic a five-year, $80 million contract which is the best deal the point guard can be offered as any other team can only give him a four-year contract. The Heat originally acquired Dragic in a trade with the Phoenix Suns during the middle of the season and he proved to be worth the price after taking over as the starter. The Heat need to retain him considering they would be left with very few options if Dragic were to leave.
The issue with the Dragic contract is the repercussions it could have on the remainder of the team. According to the Miami Herald, Wade wants a big raise to the tune of $20 million. Sources are reporting the veteran plans on opting out of his $16.1 million player option for next season with the intent of signing a deal that better secures his future. Instead, the Heat want to offer Wade a deal of $10 million per season if he were to opt out which would be the third pay cut the veteran has taken in his career with the team. If Dragic is getting a max deal, the Heat cannot afford Wade at $20 million per season.
The contract can also factor into the future of Luol Deng. The forward was signed as the replacement to LeBron James and he has a $10.2 million option in his contract. There have been no hints regarding what Deng plans on doing, but in order to re-sign Wade, the forward might be the odd man out in 2015.
The Miami Herald is reporting that Heat would like to re-sign Dragic, have Wade opt in and then have the financial freedom to re-sign Hassan Whiteside and then chase a big name like Kevin Durant. That is a lofty wishlist, but the biggest x-factor of it is Wade opting in.
Dragic has interest from other teams. The point guard has stated that he favors the Heat and the relationships he made with teammates there, but if Wade and Deng opt out, will Dragic head elsewhere? Any other team can only offer a four-year contract as high as $85 million. The Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers remain options.
