Skolnick: A misunderstanding, which is possible, or someone isn't telling the truth. They started off far apart, that's the reality. Whatever the numbers, they started far apart and nothing has really changed. This is a real situation, not a leverage play. There was an understanding on the part of Dwyane and those around him he'd be [??????] for opting out and taking less and that's not what's happening. I know the Heat have 2016 in mind and Dwyane understands that too. How do you bridge that gap? Pay a premium next season [with the tax] or doing a long term deal and cutting into future space. Dwyane can't be allowed to leave, that's my opinion. The organization built it's brand on taking care of it's own. The community is invested in Wade. This athlete in this market would be...it's just sports but in sports terms, it'd be awful. If Wade leaves and goes for lesser money, for the year before 2016, it would be difficult to recover from. You'd have to convince Durant to come in 2016 then to re-shine the brand a little bit. The other question, if he leaves and he says "I didn't feel like they valued me", that creates a trust issue with other guys your trying to bring in in 2016. Dwyane needs to be taken seriously here. He doesn't want to go but would be willing to go. Whatever your concerns are with him, there is a bridge to be gapped but sacrifice one way or the other. Either an exorbitant tax hit or giving up some of the future dream, whichever you choose, is preferable to the long term damage that comes if he leaves. The Heat dispute it(reported $10M/year offer), others I talk to are holding firm. We have to sort through truth and lies.
Love to see how this plays out. Wade sees how Lebron is controlling his bank. Wade is not going to want to take a back seat now. It is getting paid time. Thumbscrews to Riles!
Is the market for Wade really that hot? He's 33, risky and basically now capable of giving you a part-time All-star level performance for 1 more year, maybe 2 at most, then fading unto "Paul Pierce/Vince Carter in winter" type of roles and then hanging it up - are there that many teams that are going to say "sure sign us up for 3-45mm!" Yup. He gambled that he could get him back and lost. It probably stung him/insult to injury to see Riley turn a truckload of cash over to Bosh in a deal that seemed risky at the time and now seems even worse than giving it to Wade given his health issue.
Wade has leverage beyond the catastrophic pr. Dragic may bolt too if he sees one of the stars leave. He has other suitors.
The knicks are planning to give that to Monroe and the Lakers plan to give a good contract to Rondo. And theres always the Kings. So I would say yes. For around 15 per not 20 tho.
Miami will offer Dragic the max and let Wade bolt if it ever came to decision between Wade and Dragic. Its pretty ridiculous how badly Wade is getting disrespected here. Its not the money, its the expectations and the franchise wanting him to bend over.
Pierce and Carter could shoot/learned to shoot from distance. Wade is going to disappear really fast.
Dragic is unrestricted and can go wherever he wants. If he sees wade bolt he may decide to "take his talents to los angeles". Where they will too pay him a max and the difference in years and raises can be made up with ads etc. It is real leverage for Wade to use.
Miami was never a big basketball city to begin with. Even when they had LeBron, Wade, and Bosh fans wouldn't show until mid-way in the 1st quarter. Most Heat fans probably can't even name more than half their roster. On the other hand, Wade is a cornerstone of the franchise and all of their small diehards would absolutely care if he left. I think in the end they come to some sort of agreement. Maybe have Wade try to get his own deal and then agree to match or go over the top by 20% of that. The thing is, Wade already screwed up. So even if he wants to stick it to Miami, no contender is going to give him more money. And given his injuries, Wade won't be getting a Melo or Kobe type deal on a loser either. So right now the best thing to do is for both sides to compromise and somehow meet in the middle. It's also in Wade's best interest to keep Bosh, Dragic, Deng, Whiteside, etc... around while making $10M+ as opposed to making $10M+ and having to do everything by himself, further shortening his career.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/3hyvd7lCFo/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Dreams do come true... #WadetoWestern was a hastag that this young lady Negeen's started last July to get me to come to her graduation..and BOOM we just did that.. @wadesworldfdn #AllergictoNo</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by dwyanewade (@dwyanewade) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-06-05T00:52:01+00:00">Jun 4, 2015 at 5:52pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We reported previously that Wade associates say Lakers strong option if doesn't work out with Heat. SI said today that LA interest is mutual</p>— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/flasportsbuzz/status/612736378909159424">June 21, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">While many execs still see Wade/Heat as contract saber rattling, a Wade option will be the Lakers. Mutual interest, per league sources.</p>— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisMannixSI/status/612730886149287936">June 21, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If he leaves Miami, I hope he goes to LA. Him and Kobe would help keep the Lakers mediocre and tie up their books.
