The Miami Heat and star Dwyane Wade were supposedly far apart on contract negations, but now we may have an idea of just how far apart: about $30 million. Miami reportedly offered Wade under $10 million per season for three years, whereas Wade reportedly wanted $20 million per season for three years.
The rumor since last week has been relatively clear-cut: Miami wants Wade to take a third pay cut, Wade doesn't want to. The two sides reportedly are "far apart" on agreeing to a number for a new contract, and two new reports paint a much better picture of just how far apart they are. Miami wants to pay Wade $10 million annually, according to Ethan Skolnick of Bleacher Report, but Wade wants to be paid $20 million annually, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Those annual salaries are believed to be for three-year contracts, meaning Miami and Wade are $30 million - double what each side wants - apart.
The difference in price reportedly has Wade open to leaving the Heat in free agency, adding to the feeling that Wade's camp and Miami are essentially using the media as the negotiating table. Wade has the support of fans as his ace-up-the-sleeve, but team president Pat Riley reportedly is like a "mercenary" and willing to let Wade walk if it came to that or to overpaying him.
Part of Riley's desire for Wade to take less reportedly is to free up cap space for next summer, when Kevin Durant will become a free agent.
For Wade's part, the 33-year-old likely realizes this will be his last contract before retirement and he wants to cash out. It's hard to blame him, too, given how he took hits for the team twice before by agreeing to pay cuts last summer and in 2010.
