Wade elects to become free agent, may leave Heat

Wade has averaged 24.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 781 career regular-season games for the Miami Heat, per ESPN stats.

The Heat now await a midnight deadline for a similar decision from guard Dwyane Wade. Wade is the franchise cornerstone, having won multiple championships, hundreds of games, and endeared himself to the fans in the area.

Hinrich stays with Bulls • Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich has exercised his player option and will return next season. It really all depends on Wade and his contract demands, and then Dragic after that. Wade gave up money to help the team sign LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem and now he wants to be taken care of on the back end.

Wade and the Heat have been slowly spiralling toward a messy divorce over the past month.

The Heat went 37-45 last season, 10th in Eastern Conference and one game out of the final available playoff spot.

A max contract for Wade also eliminates any illusions of competing for marquee free agents in the coming years as well. The team, however, could possibly create substantive salary-cap space by trading players now under contract.

However, in the weeks leading to Wade forgoing his player option, Goodman says he had been unappy about his situation in Miami. How that story will unfold begins in earnest Tuesday night with the start of the 2015 free agency period. But unlike the previous two visits to the open market, James is not planning to entertain other offers.

Wade likely will remain in Miami moving forward, but the Heat star decided to opt out after the two sides couldn’t agree on compensation prior to free agency. However Deng, like other Miami Heat members, had his share of injuries past year. Pat Riley gets sad. Deng and Winslow will be important parts of that team, regardless of the roles they are asked to play. He is expected to work within the parameters of a deal that would pay $17 million next season, for a five-year package in the $97 million range.

Beyond Riley and Alonzo Mourning, Wade is Miami basketball.

What does Wade have left?

Replacing LeBron James is impossible for anyone, but Luol Deng did a nice job stepping into the small forward spot for the Miami Heat last season.

It’s a scenario full of hopes, dreams, lollipops and rainbows, but it isn’t too far-fetched.