It would appear the Miami Heat have had enough of the Dwyane Wade contract saga.
Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com have reported that the Heat plan to meet with Wade within the next week to address contract issues and reach an agreement on the future. The three-time NBA champion has until June 29 to decide to opt in for the 2015-16 season. He is due $16.1 million provided he exercises his option.
The issues between the two sides are quite simple—the Heat want Wade to opt in while the veteran shooting guard wants more money and a longer commitment from the franchise right now.
The article states the following in regards to the current situation between both parties:
“The sides have not formally spoken in some time. They had discussed a new contract for around $10 million per year for up to three years beyond his current deal, sources said.”
It goes on to explain why Wade feels unhappy about recent talks with the Heat:
“It is Wade’s desire to stay in Miami and finish his career with the Heat, sources said. However, the gulf between the sides has led to acrimony in recent weeks and cast doubt on Wade’s future. Wade has been disappointed at the team’s initial overtures considering the money he has left on the table in his past two free agencies, sources said.”
Reports were leaked on Sunday that the Los Angeles Lakers and Wade have a mutual interest in one another and the Lakers would have the ample cap space to give the 12-year veteran the money he is looking for.
The Heat clearly want Wade to finish his career in Miami, but the issue right now is money. Considering the team will likely give Goran Dragic a contract worth $80 million over the course of four or five years and Luol Deng might opt in with his player option worth $10.1 million for the 2015-16 season, the franchise doesn’t exactly have a lot of money to throw around this offseason.
Regardless, if both parties want this relationship to end nicely, there will have to be a compromise from each side before it’s too late.
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