Pat Riley admits being floored following the departure of former star guard Dwyane Wade. (Photo : Getty Images for Haute Living/Jennifer Graylock)
Sun Sentinel writer Ira Winderman believed Dwyane Wade could have stayed in Miami, if Heat president of basketball operation Pat Riley put more mustard to their offer by presenting more upfront money or adding a guaranteed third year of the deal.
Winderman opened his mailbag this week and answered few questions concerning the Heat's strange offseason. As expected, one of the questions was about Wade's shocking exit.
The Heat beat writer insisted that money was the only issue behind the Wade-Riley negotiation snag. He pointed out the star never had a fallout with other veteran players - including Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem - that would force him the franchise.
In short, the blame are on Riley in this situation.
"All of that said, if the Heat had offered more money up front or money for a third season, Friday never would have happened. It very much started and played out as a money issue. It just did. Unless Dwyane had a falling out with Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem, which he didn't, I can't fathom he would have told either or both that he had to turn his back and move on to Chicago," Ira Winderman stated.
Despite playing at 34, Wade still put up gaudy averages last season, recording 19.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists over 74 games. He also shot 45 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free-throw line.
The Bulls signed him to a two-year, $47.5 million deal (player option after year 1), hoping that he and newly-signed point guard Rajon Rondo drive the franchise back to playoff contention post-Derrick Rose era.
