The Miami Heat want to keep Dwyane Wade around. According to ESPN’s Dan Le Batard, an offer has been made.
Heat has offered Wade 2 years, $40 million with a player option in second year.
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) July 4, 2016
While $20 million a year is obviously significant, it seems like somewhat of a lowball offer.
Wade is the greatest, most significant player in this franchise’s history. If anyone deserves huge money, it’s him. Additionally, this wouldn’t be a ceremonial thing. Wade can still play.
Remember, Pat Riley himself said that Wade’s 2015-16 season was the “best season he’s had since prior to the Big Three.” If that’s the case, shouldn’t Wade be in line for a raise? He made made $20 million in 2015-16, so obviously the Heat don’t think that a raise is in order.
A couple questions remain.
One, will other teams offer Wade a significant raise? It’s certainly possible. While we don’t know what he’s been offered elsewhere, Wade has other suitors. If the Milwaukee Bucks are indeed a real possibility (more on that here), one can bet that Wade is getting a big offer from that team.
Two, will Wade’s loyalty to Miami and the Heat trump a potentially better offer? If Miami is offering the best deal, then Wade is a virtual lock to stay in South Beach. But if another team has a better offer on the table, will he give a hometown discount?
The Heat definitely want to keep Wade. That can certainly happen but right now, it feels like a Miami exit is at least a distinct possibility.