The Miami Heat reportedly offered star guard Dwyane Wade under $10m per season as the two parties continue negotiations over a new deal this summer.
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Wade and the Heat have reached an impasse on contract talks according to reports last week, and it is no wonder why the veteran is considering opting out of his deal.
The 33-year-old terminated a contract that would have paid him just over $20m this season and then $21.6m next season in a bid to allow the franchise to have some salary cap flexibility.
Instead, he signed a deal worth $15m this season and $16,125,000 next season, but the contract includes a player option for next year and although Wade initially said that he wouldn’t opt out, he is understood to be considering it now.
@jnewman3345 it was under 10M per, I believe
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) June 2, 2015
It is a difficult situation for the Heat to manage, as ultimately there is plenty there to argue that they shouldn’t pay him over the odds.
Wade is ageing and has consistently missed time during the last three seasons due to injury, although when he does play he still produces at an All-Star level.
It remains to be seen what happens here as Miami are essentially looking to avoid cutting into their salary cap space for 2016, when they are expected to pursue some top names in free agency including Kevin Durant.
Coupled with the fact that they are likely to offer Goran Dragic a max deal this summer and then Hassan Whiteside next year too, they need to have some flexibility and sort their priorities.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked with an interest in Wade, but the feeling remains that he will sign on with the Heat even though there is obvious room for tension between them and something will have to give on either side.
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