NBA NEWS

Heat keep Deng; Wade to test free agency

The Sports Xchange

June 29, 2015 at 4:42 pm.

Deng, 30, joined the Heat last summer as an unrestricted free agent from the Atlanta Hawks in the aftermath of LeBron James' departure for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat star guard Dwyane Wade informed the team he would opt out of his contract and become a free agent on Wednesday, but forward Luol Deng activated his player option to remain in South Florida.

The Heat could still bring back the 11-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion even after Wade passed on the final year of his contract worth $16.1 million. Wade has until one minute before midnight to notify the Heat if he would pick up the option for next season, but the Miami Herald reported Monday evening that the team was informed Wade is testing the market.

Deng, 30, joined the Heat last summer as an unrestricted free agent from the Atlanta Hawks in the aftermath of LeBron James’ departure for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Heat retained Wade and Chris Bosh from a team that went to four consecutive NBA Finals. Deng will make $10.1 million in 2015-16.

But now the Heat are preparing for the most decorated player in franchise history to enter free agency. Wade, an eight-time All-NBA selection, will automatically become a free agent Wednesday if he decides to not take any action on his own player option by midnight.

The Heat expect to discuss parameters of a new contract with the 33-year-old veteran later this week. Wade is believed to be seeking a deal that would average at least $16 million over the next three seasons. The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly among the potential suitors for Wade.

Point guard Goran Dragic is also a free agent and the Heat plan to make an attempt to sign him long-term, which could take a five-year, $80 million offer.

Wade led Miami in scoring this season, averaging 21.5 points per game, but his health continues to be a concern. He missed 20 games in 2014-15 because of injuries and illness. Wade is Miami’s career leader in games, points, assists and steals.

“Everybody in this organization over the years has had to sacrifice,” Heat president Pat Riley said of Wade last week. “The one player that’s had to sacrifice (most) for the sake of winning has been him. This is now getting down to business. We respect him. We want him back. We want him here for the rest of his career. And we’re going to try to do everything to make that happen.”

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