Dwyane Wade handles the ball during a home court game in Miami. (Photo : Mike Ehrmann | Getty Images Sport)
The Miami Heat has a lot to deal with this offseason, and that includes the face of the franchise, Dwyane Wade.
Wade leaving Miami is unthinkable and it seems like that was proven last year when the negotiations were supposedly heading south. There were already talks of where Wade could sign but ultimately, it led to a $20 million, one-year contract.
Here's where it gets tricky-the situation is more complicated now with Hassan Whiteside also being a free agent. Because he doesn't have full Bird rights, the Heat has to use cap space to sign him..and Dwyane Wade as well. Not to mention the bigger complication: the pursuit of Kevin Durant.
Durant has chosen six teams to schedule meetings with and Miami is one of only two Eastern teams. KD would have not chosen them if they were not serious with their pursuit, to say the least. Then there's Whiteside throwing loyalty out the window in a virtual "max or bust" announcement.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN has now reported that Wade has opened his doors to other teams after a deal with Miami has not come to fruition.
"Sources told ESPN.com that Wade's representatives have made it known to multiple teams over the past several days that he will be on the market," Windhorst wrote. "Some teams have been skeptical, wondering whether Wade would seriously consider leaving the franchise where he has played 13 seasons and won three titles. The Heat and Wade had several contentious weeks last year before they agreed on a one-year, $20 million deal for this past season."
Teams are skeptical, and they have every reason to be. But this offseason is unprecedented, with over a billion dollars in cap space and practically every team is a buyer-even those who don't have cap space as salary dump trades have never been easier.
The problem is it's hard to convince Wade to take a pay cut after the season he's had. Also, at 34 years old, he's probably demanding a long-term deal. The $20 million was a "show me" deal, and now that he has delivered, he wants to reap.
However, Pat Riley knows it is in the best interest of everyone, including Wade himself, to keep the team competitive. As Greg Cote of the Miami Herald wrote, "'Nobody's right if everybody's wrong.' Only, here, nobody's wrong if everybody's right."
Cote illustrated the scenarios for Riley: "Hitting a grand slam with Durant, keeping the promise of Whiteside, and doing right by Wade. Having all three might be impossible. It's losing all three that would be Riley's darkest nightmare."
Will other teams, like the Lakers or Sixers or even the Celtics take the bait? While they question Wade's sincerity and risk being used for leverage, Miami is much more cornered here than last year. Rumor has it that Durant doesn't want another free agency carousel next year, so the Heat needs to present a long-term program to him. That should center on Dwyane Wade being signed to a multi-year deal.
Next question is: Would Miami still be attractive to Durant without Whiteside and just aging Wade and uncertain Bosh as the selling points? That would be difficult considering Durant's other options.
The Lakers or Sixers-or any team with cap space could, and should make the offer and drive Riley to the edge. The rings won't impress Wade anymore-he already has three. The paychecks would do fine.
