Recently #IFWT reported that Dwyane Wade was keeping his options open about his future and was considering playing for the Knicks or the Clippers. Well it looks like there’s the reason may also be because of Miami Heat mastermind, Pat Riley’s plan to acquire Kevin Durant when he becomes a free agent in 2016.
It seems that the Miami Heat keep on asking Dwyane Wade to make sacrifices for the good of the team. This time, it’s to acquire Oklahoma City Thunder superstar, Kevin Durant.
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, 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.
When the Miami Heat formed the ‘Big 3’ in 2010, Wade was the one who gave up the most money so the Heat could acquire Chris Bosh and Lebron James. He also allowed James the ability to run the team and play freely, although Wade was the elder statesman on the team. Wade has been very unselfish during his career with the Miami Heat but who knows how much Wade is willing to give up this time, as he is on the tail end of his career and may be looking to acquire one last payday. Although, teaming up with Durant may give Wade his best chance at another championship ring.
