Dwyane Wade agrees to one-year, $20 million deal with Heat
Heat franchise player remains in Miami after agreeing to one-year deal after over a month of bitter public leveraging by both sides.
By
Matt Moore
•
2 min read
The drama was all for naught. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com confirms a report from the Associated Press that Dwyane Wade has agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal with the Miami Heat as Pat Riley keeps his franchise icon.
“It has been an honor and privilege to play with the Miami HEAT the past twelve years," Wade said in a statement. "The HEAT family and I have shared incredible moments over the years and I look forward to continuing our journey. I am extremely proud of my personal contributions in helping to build the HEAT franchise and for bringing three NBA championship wins to our great city. For my entire NBA career, Miami has always been my city and my home. I’m overwhelmed with the love and support the Miami community have consistently shown me and my family throughout the years.”
“This contract is a win-win for both Dwyane and the HEAT," Wade's agent, Henry Thomas said. "Not only does Dwyane get to extend his Hall of Fame-worthy career with the only franchise for whom he has ever played, but he will have the flexibility next summer to sign an additional deal. And the HEAT gets to keep their franchise cornerstone while having the ability to build a championship-contending roster.”
The move follows over a month of public maneuvers from both sides as the Heat had reportedly objected to giving Wade significant long-term money due to both their future plans and his relative inability to play all 82 games. Meanwhile Wade had been pursuing a max contract to make up for money he lost in helping the Heat facilitate their moves to from the Big 3 with Chris Bosh and LeBron James. The Heat also reportedly had eyes on Kevin Durant in 2016. With a one-year, $20 million deal, Wade stays with the team that he has been with since he was drafted in 2003 and reaps a massive payday well over market value.
The Heat would have lost faith and a lot of fans by alienating the face of the franchise, but now they get to essentially kick the issue of Wade's long-term money down the road while keeping their future flexibility open. The Heat had reportedly drawn into the race for LaMarcus Aldridge with a meeting scheduled for Friday night, but with Wade, Chris Bosh, and Goran Dragic all locked into big-money deals, it's not financially feasible to add Aldridge's max contract as well, it would at least seem on the surface.
Wade played in only 62 games last season but averaged 22 points, four rebounds, and five assists on 47 percent shooting and on many nights looked like the superstar he's billed as. A divorce from the Heat would have compromised their legitimacy as a top destination and a place that keeps its players happy and would have damaged Wade's legacy. The resolution makes sense for both sides, even if neither side can be truly happy. Wade stays with the Heat.
