Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade has hinted that he could opt out of his deal this summer as he revealed that he will “worry about that in July”.
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According to reports, the Heat offered their veteran a deal worth less than $10m per year, whereas Wade is looking for a contract that pays him around $20m per year.
As a result, the two parties have reached an impasse and it comes down to what the three-time NBA champion does this summer as he has a player option for next season.
The deadline to exercise that option is June 29, and based on his comments during ABC’s Finals coverage on Sunday night, it sounds as though he is going to decide in July which would suggest that he will opt out.
“Well, listen, it’s summer time. So when summer time and free agency [come together], it’s going to be a lot of talk. And right now, I’m glad that the Finals is going and we’re here,” Wade said, as transcribed by the Sun Sentinel.
“And we’ll worry about that in July. Right now, we’re going to focus on these Finals.”
While that could have merely been a slip in terms of Wade insisting that the focus should be on the Finals and his contract talks will come later, much has been taken from that comment.
The most sensible decision would arguably be to opt in and secure his future with the Heat for the time being as he won’t likely get as much as what he is due next season on the open market, with Miami set to pay him over $16m.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked with a move this summer as they look to sign a big name, but while the 33-year-old satisfies that criteria, it isn’t exactly what that team needs right now as they prepare for life without Kobe Bryant.
Miami may well turn around and offer a better deal to their loyal star, but Wade is seemingly heading towards opening the door to a move elsewhere even though the most likely conclusion remains that he will stay with the Heat.
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