Wade to heat summer up and test free agency up
As some expected and many (mainly Heat fans) feared, Dwyane Wade has opted out of his contract, and will test the free agent market this summer. The former Marquette University standout has been with the team since they drafted him with the 4th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft, and he has brought the Larry O’Brien trophy to Miami three times, once with Shaq in 2006, and twice with LeBron James in 2012 and 2013.
However, those rings came at a financial cost to Wade, who has given up over $25 million in an effort to help Pat Riley afford other marquee players like LeBron and Chris Bosh. However, that generosity appears to have come to an end. Wade is reportedly seeking a 3-year deal worth $60 million, and that goal may not align with the Heat’s agenda of keeping their payroll low to make a run at some of the high profile free agents that will be on the market next summer, like Kevin Durant.
There have been rumors of Wade being interested in re-joining forces with LeBron in Cleveland, who, judging by the final 3 games of these last NBA Finals, could use another wing playmaker to accompany himself and Kyrie Irving. There is also reported mutual interest between Wade and the Los Angeles Lakers, who appear to be making a very serious effort to reinstate their contender status by November. The Lakers drafted D’Angelo Russell, the unanimous best guard in the draft, and have been involved in free agent signing rumors regarding LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMarcus Cousins and Jimmy Butler.
Where Wade ends up will surely be interesting, but whatever the Heat’s chances were prior to today, they’ve marginally lessened.