Report: Dwyane Wade Met With Micky Arison
Impending free agent Dwyane Wade has reportedly met with Miami Heat owner Micky Arison and "may be looking for a fourth year" on a new deal, according to Ethan Skolnick.
Wade is set to test the market when he becomes a free agent tonight at midnight.
As I mentioned on @TheTicketMiami ... can confirm that Micky Arison & Dwyane Wade have met to discuss a way forward once he's a FA.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) June 30, 2015
Yesterday afternoon, Wade opted out of a deal that would pay him $16.5 million next season while veteran wing Luol Deng opted in to his $10 million deal. With the team also looking to retain Goran Dragic this summer and then Hassan Whiteside a year from now, Wade's contract situation could be tricky if his desire is a deal spanning three or four seasons.
As Miami looks to maintain cap flexibility for the summer of 2016, the Heat could front-load their offer by giving Wade a one-year maximum of for $23.5 million next season, but Arison would be in line to pay a massive luxury tax bill. In the past, the Heat amnestied Mike Miller to ease their tax burden.
The Lakers have been reported as a team with interest though they are also expected to pursue other big names like LaMarcus Aldridge and possibly Rajon Rondo.