Thunderous Intentions
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Is Miami’s Issue With Wade a Ploy to Pursue Kevin Durant?

By David Ramil

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First the 2012 NBA Finals and now this?

A recent report from The Miami Herald alleges that the Miami Heat and their longtime star player, Dwyane Wade, are at impasse regarding contract negotiations. At issue is that Wade, now 33 and struggling with injuries, wants to exercise the player option in his contract to become a free agent. The Herald’s Barry Jackson contends Wade’s decision is to re-sign with Miami for a more lucrative, multi-year deal.

"The Heat and Dwyane Wade have been discussing potential resolutions of his contract situation and there’s a significant difference in what both parties believe he should be paid for the next three seasons, according to multiple sources.Though Wade prefers to stay with the Heat, where he has spent his entire 12-year career, he is now open to considering other teams this summer if the Heat does not raise its offer, according to three sources with direct knowledge."

However, Miami – as per ESPN on-air personality and Herald columnist Dan LeBatard – apparently wants Wade to opt in to provide salary cap flexibility in 2016. That summer, of course, is when Kevin Durant‘s contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder expires and the superstar forward becomes a free agent.

As per LeBatard:

"The Heat seems to want Wade to opt into his contract for next season at $16 million, then become a free agent and leave their and his future blank-check open. This will give the Heat the flexibility it craves to make a run at a player like Kevin Durant.Pipe dream? Maybe.But that’s what Wade himself once told the Heat about his great friend LeBron James being in Miami. Miami wants to have the flexibility that gets Riley in a room with Durant.The Heat can have room for Wade, (Chris) Bosh, Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside and Durant … but only if Wade opts in for this year and gives them that flexibility by being a free agent in 2016. This requires Wade to have a lot of trust, obviously, and the leap of faith that the team will take care of him in 2016."

Remove any interest that Durant may or may not have in signing anywhere other than OKC from the equation and the possibility of joining the Heat is still a remote one. Miami must first convince Wade to keep his current deal by opting in (and he has a deadline until the end of June in order to do so. If not, he’ll become a free agent able to sign elsewhere or remain with the Heat under a new deal more to his liking).

Secondly, the Heat have other free agent issues to deal with this summer, namely their ability to re-sign free agent Dragic, who is reportedly seeking a near max-level contract. Miami is also preparing for the loss of Luol Deng, who has a player option for the remaining year of his deal and has expressed some interest in a longer-term contract.

Lastly, Whiteside has become a priority for Miami as well. In his first major NBA action this past season, the young center proved to be a valuable rim protector, rebounder and capable scorer. While the Heat thrived with position-less basketball during the “Big 3” era of James/Wade/Bosh, Whiteside’s emergency has them fielding a much more traditional lineup with him at center. He, like Durant, becomes a free agent in 2016 and Miami would very much like to re-sign him.

While that’s a lot of chips that have to fall in to place, you can’t discount Miami’s ability to assemble another star-studded team like they did in 2010.

Of course, all of this becomes moot should Durant merely re-sign with Oklahoma City. But it’s also something Thunder fans – and Durant – will have to prepare themselves this year. While the Thunder’s pursuit of a title is the main goal for this season, rumors like this will continue to crop up throughout the season.

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