Nothing solid. It's based off a single line in the NYDN saying that Wade will probably opt out and take less money, and that hasn't been confirmed by anyone else.
That makes no sense (and I think HeatNation may be less reliable than Clutchfans, by a decent margin). Unless there is some back-room assurance of future employment, or employment for family members, why on this Earth would Wade opt out?
He wants to continue to be relevant in this league by playing with Lebron James. And that's the only way. If he opts in, he pretty much guarantees Lebron won't be coming back to Miami.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Mad Libs: LeBron taking his talents to (insert city name). <a href="http://t.co/jRUJnAKS0A">pic.twitter.com/jRUJnAKS0A</a></p>— Jeff D Lowe (@JeffDLowe) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffDLowe/statuses/481445609141174272">June 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Dude's smart. The temptation for the franchise to just try again with what they have is too dangerous. If ownership isn't willing to make sacrifices for a championship (like when they cut Miller to save luxury tax dollars), why should the players? This way he's got leverage to make sure ownership will do its part. Yeah, I'll wait for something more definitive. He'd surrender a lot of money by doing so, but if he doesn't he surrenders 2 more chances for championships. The Heat can't improve when he takes up a third of their cap space and plays like he does. It's a tough choice, but it'll depend on where his priorities are.
I hear you, and thanks also to t_mac1 for that response. It will definitely come down to his priorities, and maybe his own pride. He's been relevant for many good years, and how fun is it to play the broken-down side-kick to the true star? I don't know. He's not even Robin to Batman anymore... he's like one of the wonder-twins or something. Or... even Aquaman.
Exactly. Wade isn't the player he used to be. He can still be an efficient and effective player for stretches (19 points on 54% shooting in the regular season from your starting PG is pretty damn good). But he's a player who is now only judged on by the playoffs, like most great players are. And he's been awful there, except for a few games here and there. Even if Wade opts out, I highly doubt Lebron would seriously consider coming back unless there are HUGE changes (Bosh is now #2 option, better and more reliable role players being brought in...). I think there's a very good chance Lebron is leaving. There are better situations out there for him (Bulls and Houston are the best). I don't think you can trust Wade to bring it up another notch. 2 years he has failed.
Clippers and Golden State may also be in play for Lebron. Paul-Lebron-Griffin? Curry-Lebron-Love? Harden-Lebron-Howard? Lillard-Lebron-Aldridge? Rose-Lebron-Noah? Kyrie-Lebron-Wiggins? Kemba-Lebron-Jefferson? Lebron-Randolph-Gasol? Lebron can step into a number of great situations, all a matter of where he wants to be.
I think the best explanation is he wants to get paid a different amount to play for the Heat and has no intentions of playing elsewhere.
He's already making the max. This isn't about money. This is about LeBron sending a message to the Heat. I believe that message is that he's unhappy with the way they've handled the last 2 seasons in terms of roster management, and that he doesn't feel like they've put winning as the #1 priority anymore. He either wants Miami to prove him wrong, or tell him that it's been a fun ride, but that they can't give him what he wants anymore.
As far as i know he wade and bosh all took a little less than the max to play. Lebron is not being paid the max.
This isnt NBA 2K14... you cant just edit rosters to your liking and make bada$$ teams.. of those teams, only 2-3 of them are capable of adding lebron with their cap space and keeping the 2 other players you have next to him.
Lebron has all the leverage and can go wherever he pleases. Teams will do just about anything if Lebron says he wants to play for this team. Clearing $10-$15 million in cap space is pretty easy for most teams in the Western Conference.
I know Lebron wants to win, but I dont see him playing for 10-12 mil. thats a huge paycut and if he were willing to take it, I think he would just stay with the heat. And while any team would be willing to do whatever they could to get lebron, if what it takes is losing one of those 2 players you put alongside him then I doubt he is interested anymore. Lebron is awesome and can get teams to give him whatever he wants, but aside from playing for like 10 mil a year, he cant make it his personal NBA 2K14 either, nor can he force teams to trade him for players they dont want.
I feel like the clippers would have to gut some more than that to sign him (at least that what i have been hearing) and while that does give lebron more than 10 mil, I still dont think he does it. I dont see him taking less money than other ppl on the team. I believe CP3 and Griffin are a combined 38 mil or something, I dont see Lebron being ok with 15 or less, have a team with zero depth or a rim protector, when he could stay in miami for the max or come to houston for way closer to the max and not gutting their roster IMO
