In list format, because there are plenty of layers on the future of Dwyane Wade with the Miami Heat:
And yes, I am on Twitter. Feel free to follow.
1. Unless I'm missing something, Dwyane Wade has NEVER said he is leaving the Miami Heat in 2010 unless the team gets a significant upgrade. All he has said is he won't sign a long-term extension this offseason unless he feels the Heat is moving towards scaling the championship mountain. There's a big difference with the two, because now if absolutely necessary, Pat Riley has more than one off-season to construct a title team. It's a tricky spot to be playing chicken and the egg when neither side is relenting. But can you really blame Wade for playing the waiting game with a non-championship contending team? After all, none of the prize free agents seem ready to re-sign, other than maybe Steve Nash.
2. It's 100 percent naive to say that Wade is 100 percent staying no matter what happens(more on that below). But if I'm taking him at his word, then the Heat are still the favorites to retain his services. And that doesn't change, even if he tests free agency waters in 2010. Nearly every interview(and don't ask me for origin specifics cause there are too many to keep track of) contains some form of "I love it here" and "this is where I want to be." So again, all things equal, Dwyane Wade insists he wants to stay. How does that turn into he's likely to leave?
3. That doesn't mean he's selling his Pinecrest home to foot the bill for new properties. As candid as he's been, there are many things we don't know. How do we know he wouldn't turn down the opportunity for an extra 30 million dollars?(Other NBAers have, including Shaq). How do we know he couldn't garner that and more in endorsements by flocking to New York, or even going home and playing in the shadow of Jordan? And let's not forget about his personal trials and tribulations. Getting sued by your restaurant partners, and what appears to be dueling lawsuits with his ex-wife, yeah not fun. And if the off-the-court drama explodes, then could he be looking for a fresh start elsewhere? I elude to this because Heat fans assume Dwyane Wade is truly happy here and has it all, but do we know that for certain?
4. I still think there's a hidden message in all of this: Wade wants Riley to commit being here past 2010. If Riley packs up his office, the chances of Wade packing his bags elsewhere increase exponentially in my opinion. And knowing that Riles is arguably the most impatient person in sports(mostly a good thing), it's possible that D-Wade is worried that staying in idle and preaching patience is code for I'm turning the keys over to someone else when my contract expires next year.
5. So what do I do if I'm in the office overlooking South Beach and Biscayne Boulevard? Call up Ernie Grundfeld and see if he'd be interested in consummating a Michael Beasley-Mark Blount for Caron Butler deal. It makes sense for both sides. Caron gives Wade an instant sidekick, not to mention a good buddy that can only help persuade him to stay, and makes them better. Not top 3 better, but certainly the inside track at the 4 seed. Plus, he's only making 10.7 million in 10-11, so the Heat could still theoretically sign a max guy(if they opt out of James Jones and Daequan and don't resign Udonis) in 2010. From the Wizards perspective, they save 6.5 million in 2010 and could sign a 14-15 million a year player, plus get a 20-year old playing at home that arguably has more upside than Caron.
I like Michael Beasley, and think he's an enormously gifted offensive player, but I'm not sure how much Wade enjoys playing with him, and if he's gonna progress much further than being a big time scorer that dominates the ball and is lost on defense. And that type of player to me should be expendable if you are getting a star(like Bosh) or a surefire No. 2 All-Star caliber player(Caron). By not making this deal, you are saying that Michael Beasley will be better than a guy who has improved every year and will give you at least 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 steals, and can capably defend. Isn't that a lot to ask?
6. Whether he stays or goes, I will go on record saying I don't think Michael Beasley ever starts a game for the Heat at small forward. It will hamper his play on both ends, big time. He's already got miles to go just defending PF's, now you are going to ask him to learn how to defend LeBron James, Paul Pierce, or guys that are much quicker and athletic? And much of his offensive success derives from beating slower PF's off the dribble-not as easy to do against small forwards. No chance he should play the three-and Wade and Zo agree with me.
7. Finally, I'm not condemning the Heat for being interested in Allen Iverson, but isn't he a more talented Ricky Davis as this stage? And how did that work out?
And yes, I am on Twitter. Feel free to follow.
1. Unless I'm missing something, Dwyane Wade has NEVER said he is leaving the Miami Heat in 2010 unless the team gets a significant upgrade. All he has said is he won't sign a long-term extension this offseason unless he feels the Heat is moving towards scaling the championship mountain. There's a big difference with the two, because now if absolutely necessary, Pat Riley has more than one off-season to construct a title team. It's a tricky spot to be playing chicken and the egg when neither side is relenting. But can you really blame Wade for playing the waiting game with a non-championship contending team? After all, none of the prize free agents seem ready to re-sign, other than maybe Steve Nash.
2. It's 100 percent naive to say that Wade is 100 percent staying no matter what happens(more on that below). But if I'm taking him at his word, then the Heat are still the favorites to retain his services. And that doesn't change, even if he tests free agency waters in 2010. Nearly every interview(and don't ask me for origin specifics cause there are too many to keep track of) contains some form of "I love it here" and "this is where I want to be." So again, all things equal, Dwyane Wade insists he wants to stay. How does that turn into he's likely to leave?
3. That doesn't mean he's selling his Pinecrest home to foot the bill for new properties. As candid as he's been, there are many things we don't know. How do we know he wouldn't turn down the opportunity for an extra 30 million dollars?(Other NBAers have, including Shaq). How do we know he couldn't garner that and more in endorsements by flocking to New York, or even going home and playing in the shadow of Jordan? And let's not forget about his personal trials and tribulations. Getting sued by your restaurant partners, and what appears to be dueling lawsuits with his ex-wife, yeah not fun. And if the off-the-court drama explodes, then could he be looking for a fresh start elsewhere? I elude to this because Heat fans assume Dwyane Wade is truly happy here and has it all, but do we know that for certain?
4. I still think there's a hidden message in all of this: Wade wants Riley to commit being here past 2010. If Riley packs up his office, the chances of Wade packing his bags elsewhere increase exponentially in my opinion. And knowing that Riles is arguably the most impatient person in sports(mostly a good thing), it's possible that D-Wade is worried that staying in idle and preaching patience is code for I'm turning the keys over to someone else when my contract expires next year.
5. So what do I do if I'm in the office overlooking South Beach and Biscayne Boulevard? Call up Ernie Grundfeld and see if he'd be interested in consummating a Michael Beasley-Mark Blount for Caron Butler deal. It makes sense for both sides. Caron gives Wade an instant sidekick, not to mention a good buddy that can only help persuade him to stay, and makes them better. Not top 3 better, but certainly the inside track at the 4 seed. Plus, he's only making 10.7 million in 10-11, so the Heat could still theoretically sign a max guy(if they opt out of James Jones and Daequan and don't resign Udonis) in 2010. From the Wizards perspective, they save 6.5 million in 2010 and could sign a 14-15 million a year player, plus get a 20-year old playing at home that arguably has more upside than Caron.
I like Michael Beasley, and think he's an enormously gifted offensive player, but I'm not sure how much Wade enjoys playing with him, and if he's gonna progress much further than being a big time scorer that dominates the ball and is lost on defense. And that type of player to me should be expendable if you are getting a star(like Bosh) or a surefire No. 2 All-Star caliber player(Caron). By not making this deal, you are saying that Michael Beasley will be better than a guy who has improved every year and will give you at least 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 steals, and can capably defend. Isn't that a lot to ask?
6. Whether he stays or goes, I will go on record saying I don't think Michael Beasley ever starts a game for the Heat at small forward. It will hamper his play on both ends, big time. He's already got miles to go just defending PF's, now you are going to ask him to learn how to defend LeBron James, Paul Pierce, or guys that are much quicker and athletic? And much of his offensive success derives from beating slower PF's off the dribble-not as easy to do against small forwards. No chance he should play the three-and Wade and Zo agree with me.
7. Finally, I'm not condemning the Heat for being interested in Allen Iverson, but isn't he a more talented Ricky Davis as this stage? And how did that work out?
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