Report: Angered by Heat, Wade courting offers from Bulls, Bucks
It doesn't sound like Dwyane Wade is going to take a discount again.
The unrestricted free agent - and future Hall of Famer - is reportedly courting multi-year offers with a salary in the $20-million range, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski. In addition, Wojnarowski reports that the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and Denver Nuggets have initiated a recruiting process with Wade, with the Bulls and Bucks the most aggressive pursuers.
Wade, a Chicago native, spent his collegiate years in the Milwaukee area while attending Marquette.
It was reported earlier that the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs were also in the mix.
The 34-year-old averaged 19 points, 4.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 2015-16, helping lead the Miami Heat back to the playoffs.
Wade has spent his entire, 13-year career in Miami, but citing league sources, Wojnarowski reports that the Heat angered Wade by offering him only $10 million per year, leading the 12-time All-Star to explore the market and meet with teams when he returns from his European vacation.
Wade, an eight-time All-NBA guard, three-time champion, former scoring champion, and former Finals MVP, signed a one-year contract last summer worth $20 million.
Wade has also taken less than the max or settled for a short-term deal at other points, while the Heat were either adding superstars like LeBron James and Chris Bosh, or while the team was trying to secure flexibility for such top-tier talents.
Earlier on Friday, the Heat agreed to a four-year contract worth a reported $98 million with free-agent center Hassan Whiteside, and will now turn their attention to a Sunday meeting with Kevin Durant.
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