The future of the Miami Heat is constantly being put into question this season as the team's three biggest stars are capable of opting out of their current contracts in favor of free agency this summer. Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh could all decide to forego their final year with the Heat and head elsewhere. Miami will have to do a lot of re-working contracts to retain all three players this offseason, but one of them might be willing to help in that effort.
Wade could be the x-factor when it comes to the futures of the Miami Heat Big 3. The Orlando Sun-Sentinel reports that Wade is considering opting out of his contract at the end of the season in order to re-work his contract and ease the financial burden in order to re-sign both James and Bosh to better contracts. Wade took a pay cut when James and Bosh joined in free agency and he might be willing to do so again for the team. Instead of making around $40 million over the next two seasons, he could sign a deal worth $60 million over the next five seasons. That would make him a smaller salary cap and tax hit.
There is certainly no confirmation on Wade's behalf that this will happen, but the guard has been with the Heat for his entire career and could decide to end it there as well. A lot has been made of Wade's season so far. Knee injuries have forced the veteran to miss several games this season, causing some issues of chemistry for the team. However, he comes up big when needed and that will be remembered come contract time.
Many believe the chances all three players remain in Miami are very high. However, the chances they sign new long-term contracts could be very low. The latest free agency theory comes from the Cleveland Plain Dealer who suggests that James, Wade and Bosh will opt to remain with the Heat, finish out their current contracts and test free agency in 2015. The source of theory is really unknown so take this with a grain of salt.
Bosh has made comments in the past saying that a third-straight championship will be a large factor in the free agency decision. If the Heat were to complete the three-peat, all three players might decide to move on and try a run with a different team. If Miami were to lose to say the Indiana Pacers, the Big 3 may remain in Miami for another title shot.
