When Dwyane Wade opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat to become a free agent, speculation arose quickly. One report linked Wade to the Los Angeles Lakers implying there was mutual interest, but another report said that league executives weren’t sure about Wade having robust stock in the free agent market.
After Wade and the Heat went through the negotiating process, which was said to possibly amount to a multi-year deal, the 11-time All-Star is staying put with the franchise he’s spent his entire career with on a one-year deal.
Wade deal: $20 million, one-year deal, source tells AP.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) July 2, 2015
Dwyane Wade’s three-year salary progression: $18.7 million, $15 million, $20 million.
— Rob Mahoney (@RobMahoney) July 2, 2015
Wade will return to his team that has locked in Goran Dragic, will expectedly have a healthy Chris Bosh next season, and brought in a prized Justise Winslow in the NBA Draft. With Wade officially still on board, the Heat have incredible upside for the 2015-16 season.
Wade statement: “The Heat family and I have shared incredible moments over the years and I look forward to continuing our journey.”
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) July 2, 2015
Signing a one-year deal keeps both Wade and the Heat happy. Wade earns the money he feels he deserves and the Heat can both please and retain their valued veteran superstar without long-term implications. The one-year deal perhaps points directly to the salary cap bump next season, which Wade could now look to benefit from. It also projects another opportunity for the Heat in free agency next summer for guys like, say, Kevin Durant.
In this case, everybody wins in the short term, and there may even be long term victories that stem from this agreement.
