Dwyane Wade has some decisions to make this summer when he’ll have the option to opt out of his current deal.
Wade gave a diplomatic answer to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com when he was posed the question regarding whether his next free agent contract will be one constructed similarly to Kobe Bryant’s recent extension, or a discounted deal like Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett recently gave to their teams.
“When I get into that position, it’s something I’ll think about,” Wade said. “You have to sit down at the time and see what is best for you and for your team.”
Before Wade could really get deep into his answer, LeBron James answered for him.
“D-Wade is getting that Kobe deal,” James said from the next locker.
Wade himself says he was glad to see the two-year, $48-plus million extension that Bryant signed with the Los Angeles Lakers last week.
“As a player, I loved it. Everyone who gets what they get deserve, it’s great,” Wade said. “There’s a reason the Lakers felt that Kobe should get that money. There’s no right or wrong.”
The Heat likely would like to work out with Wade a similar situation to when Shaquille O’Neal signed a flexible deal in 2005. Wade has stated he intends to re-sign with Miami in the offseason.
“I remember when Shaq did that,” Wade said. “Not everyone is going to do that.”
I’ll believe it when I see it.