Dwyane Wade, a perennial All-Star and three-time NBA champion, has decided to not pick up his option with the Miami Heat for next year as expected.
Wade, who was scheduled to make $16.1 million next season, will automatically become a free agent Wednesday.
Wade, 33, is believed to be seeking a deal that would average at least $16 million over the next three seasons. The Heat had preferred Wade opt in for the final season of his contract and then work with the team on a new contract after next season that would give the Heat salary-cap flexibility going into the 2016 free-agency period, when Kevin Durant could become available.
There’s been talk about his possibly joining his friend and former teammate LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers. There was also reportedly mutual interest between him and the Los Angeles Lakers. Or both rumors could be ploys to have leverage against the Heat.
Wade has spent his entire 12-year career with the Heat.
Source: ESPN
