Dwyane Wade is in a contract standoff with the Miami Heat, and it is starting to sound like a real possibility that the end result could be the 12-time All-Star wearing a different uniform next season.
After taking hometown discounts for years so the Heat could build out their roster in other places, Wade wants to get paid this time around. Brian Windhorst of ESPN reports that the 34-year-old is seeking $50 million over two seasons, which is significantly more than what Miami has offered. As a result, Wade may actually be considering offers from other teams.
Would characterize relations between Wade/Heat — especially after what's been published in past 24 hours — at all-time low. Gonna b tough.
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) July 6, 2016
The Denver Nuggets are said to be willing to give Wade the $25 million per season he wants, though the Heat likely aren’t buying that their franchise icon would leave for a team that missed the playoffs. However, the Nuggets are not the only team Wade has scheduled meetings with.
Sources on @TheVertical: Beyond Denver meeting for Dwyane Wade in New York today: Milwaukee, Chicago meetings set. Miami possible too now.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) July 6, 2016
Sources on @TheVertical: So far, closest Wade has to a third-year on deal: Chicago w/ a partial guarantee. Denver, Miami offering two years.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) July 6, 2016
The Bulls are an intriguing option, especially if they are willing to go three years, as Wade grew up in Chicago. He also went to college at Marquette, so he has ties to Wisconsin.
With the Heat having missed out on Kevin Durant, Wade likely sees no need to take a dime less than market value. After Dirk Nowitzki — who is nearly three years older than D-Wade — signed a two-year, $40 million extension with the Dallas Mavericks, you can’t blame Wade for wanting more. He carried the Heat in the playoffs this past season and averaged 21.4 points per game in 14 postseason contests.
There are rumors that Wade could be looking to join his good buddy to chase another championship, but that does not sound likely. What would make more sense is finding middle ground with the Heat. At the moment, it sounds like the two sides are nowhere close to making that happen.
