Contract negotiations between Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat have hit an impasse and Wade is considering all options including leaving the team, according to Tim Reynolds of Associated Press.
Wade can opt out of the last year of his current contract at the end of June, something he seems desirous to do in order to sign a three-year extension. However reports indicate the Heat are reluctant to do so in the belief that it will limit their cap space in the future.
The NBA salary cap is expected to jump from $67 million to $89 million in 2016. However, with the Heat expected to re-sign point guard Goran Dragic this summer and attempt to sign breakout center Hassan Whiteside next summer, Miami could have more than $80 million tied up in four players - including Chris Bosh and Wade - if all falls into place.
"He's had a tremendous career (with the Heat) and we're just trying to see whether or not there's room to continue that," Wade's agent Henry Thomas told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Thursday. "My sense at this point is it's relatively early and we'll continue to talk about it."
Last summer, Wade restructured his contract in order to give the Heat flexibility. He opted out of his original contract and accepted a two-year, $31-million deal which includes next season's $16.1-million player option.
Wade has played his entire 12-year career in Miami, winning three NBA titles. The 11-time All-Star is the Heat career franchise leader in games, field goals, total points, assists, and free throws. He will turn 34 midway through next season.
