MIAMI — For the first time, the relationship between Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat seems murky at best.
And his future with the team now is in doubt.
Contract talks between Wade and the Heat are at “an impasse” and the three-time NBA champion is preparing himself for possibly leaving the team this summer, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither side has publicly released details of the negotiations.
Wade is under contract for the 2015-16 season, and would earn about $16.1 million. He also could opt out and become a free agent. Wade has said many times, including in an end-of-season interview with AP, that he wants to remain with the Heat for the remainder of his career.
But Wade has not decided anything, including whether he will opt out, the person said Thursday.
“He’s trying to figure out how things should transpire and if he can reach another agreement with the Heat,” the person said.
Wade led the Heat in scoring this season at 21.5 points per game, but missed 20 contests because of injuries and illness. Last summer, he opted out of a deal that had two years and about $41 million remaining — a move that had to be made in an effort to give the team enough financial flexibility to keep LeBron James in Miami.
The question now becomes what can the Heat offer the 33-year-old Wade. It’s also unclear what the open-market offers would be for Wade, who has spent the early part of this offseason slimming down — he said he lost 12 pounds in the last month — and working on off-the-court business dealings.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
