It's no wonder extension talks between Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat have hit an impasse.
The Heat's initial offer to Wade started at under $10 million per year, according to Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report.
This comes on the heels of a season in which Wade made his 11th consecutive All-Star appearance while posting averages of 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. With the salary cap projected to skyrocket after 2016, the Heat offering their franchise player less than guys like Andrea Bargnani ($11.5 million) and JaVale McGee ($11.3 million) made this year is quite a statement.
The rub, of course, is Wade's declining health. The 33-year-old was held to just 62 games last season, marking the fourth straight season in which he played less than 70 games.
Miami's future flexibility also factors into the equation. The Heat are looking to re-sign Goran Dragic this summer and will need to re-up Hassan Whiteside in 2016. If the Heat can lock Wade into a low figure going forward, Pat Riley could have max cap room to chase a superstar in 2016. Kevin Durant, for one, is slated to become a free agent that summer.
However, there's something to be said for loyalty. Wade has made plenty of concessions to Miami, repeatedly taking less money to help his team facilitate roster moves. Wade has also keyed three title runs for the Heat over the past decade.
Wade inked a two-year, $31-million deal last summer to remain in Miami with the only NBA club he has ever known. He has a player option worth $16 million for 2015-16.
