Dwyane Wade Doesn't Want Dallas, and Dallas Doesn't Want Dwyane Wade
Yesterday afternoon, a report came out by ESPN's Brian Windhorst that Dwyane Wade's camp has sent out "feelers" to gauge interest on All-Star shooting guard, Dwyane Wade. Who did they send these "feelers" out to? The Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, the two best Texas teams. Yeah, Houston sucks.
After initial reports came out on Tuesday night that Miami and Dwayne Wade's contract talks were stalling, the veteran let it be known that, much like Chandler Parsons, he will be all ears this summer. Last summer, the Heat and Wade ran into similar problems and Wade eventually signed a one year, $20 million contract. It worked out for the both of them. Wade was healthy this past seasons he only missed 8 games, the lowest amount since the 2010-11 season. Wade also averaged 19 points per game, 4.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. Even at 34 years old, Wade showed he can still play at an extremely high level.
In this summer's market, where guys like Harrison Barnes and Bismack Biyombo are going to get max contracts, Dwyane Wade certainly deserves to be paid the same. Someone is going to give him that money and someone is going to get a lot of production out of him for at least one more season, if not many more. Am I personally a Dwyane Wade fan? Not by any stretch of the imagination. But as an NBA fan, I can respect the fact that this guy is still playing at a higher level than most of the free agents out there and deserves to get paid like it. But not by Dallas.
This guy is getting a max contract this summer...
Look, the bottom line is that Wade is using these phone calls as leverage and nothing more. Dwyane Wade has been the center piece of the Heat since his rookie season in 2003. Pat Riley was quoted in saying this "We know where he belongs … He’s a lifer. What he’s done in this city over the last 13 years is irreplaceable and so we’re going to do the right thing. There’s no doubt.” (Via Palm Beach Post) Now, does that really sound like a guy who's about to let his franchise player walk? Dwyane Wade is Miami's Dirk Nowitzki. The Heat are attempting to get their stud to take less than he deserves because they've put themselves in such a bind when it comes to their money. Hassan Whiteside is a free agent that will demand the max. Luol Deng was a starter for Miami last season and is another Miami free agent expected to get one last big(ish) contract. Other big name Miami free agents include Joe Johnson, Udonis Haslem, Amar'e Stoudemire, and picking up an option on high performing rookie Josh Richardson. Wade wants Miami to get a little worried that he might actually field other offers from teams so that they will pony up the dough a little easier.
On Dallas' side of things, they're going to act interested. They might even go as far as giving him a sit down meeting. But there is little to no chance that Dwyane Wade will receive an actual offer from Dallas' front office. Mike Fisher wrote a very good article yesterday about why the Mavericks are actually taking these calls. It all comes back to Hassan Whiteside. The Mavs want the Heat to be so worried about keeping Dwyane Wade happy in Miami that they can't make that offer to Hassan Whiteside before Dallas does. They're playing the game we call free agency. Dwyane Wade has been nothing but a villain to Dallas since 2006, and the Mavs fans hatred for him has only grown since. Would he be a nice veteran to add to the team? Sure, but Cuban even said that the goal this summer is to get younger and more athletic. Wade is not that. As a Mavs fan, I would have a really hard time pulling for Dwyane Wade.
Dwayne Wade being guarded by Dirk Nowitzki in the 2006 NBA Finals.
The Mavs have one agenda in free agency and that's to get Hassan Whiteside and Mike Conley. Nothing else happens until those two decide where they're going to go. With the reports of the Grizzlies growing more confident in retaining Conley, I'm getting nervous. This free agency period is going to have me sweating quite a bit. Expect the unexpected Mavs fans, but don't expect Dwyane Wade to be in a Maverick jersey next season. Or ever.
