3. Problems in Miami
It’s clear that there are some problems between the Heat’s management and Wade at the current juncture. Wade still clearly feels like he should be a max contract player, while it appears that the Heat may be more interested in pursuing Kevin Durant at this time.
This same time last year, Wade and the Heat had several meetings that were reported as somewhat hostile before both sides finally settled on a one-year, $20 million deal for the 2016 season.
As it turns out, the money was well spent, as Wade turned in his best season in several years, averaging 19.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, all while playing 74 games, his most in five years.
After the season ended, Wade expressed a desire to have this round of contract negotiations go smoother than last season, which apparently has not happened.
Just for some perspective, after re-signing big man Hassan Whiteside to a $98 million deal, should the Heat re-sign its other current players and sign Kevin Durant, there likely will not be enough cap room left to sign Wade to the contract he feels he has earned.
“I hope everything is quiet and works out the way I want it to,” Wade said in regards to the negotiations. “But I have no control over that, as much as people might think. It’s a lot of moving parts in free agency. I’m not worried about it.”
While that stuff takes place outside of the four lines of the court, there are some issues in between those four lines that could also prompt Wade to look elsewhere.
He doesn’t entirely mesh with point guard Goran Dragic and his preferred style of play, and there are reasons to believe that Chris Bosh will never be the same player that he was two seasons ago.
Bosh’s season was ended for the second consecutive year due to health concerns arising from a blood clot issue. Dime Magazine recently reported that the Heat are including the prospect of a healthy Bosh in their pitches to free agents, but being that blood clots are an incredibly tricky medical problem with a propensity to recur, his health will most likely never be a full guarantee.
If Wade wants to have smooth negotiating leverage coupled with a large pay day for a championship contender, Cleveland is an obvious choice for the 12-time All-Star.
Next: Perfect Fit
