Dwyane Wade is staying with the Miami Heat, and his latest deal is designed to give both the player and the only franchise he’s ever known some flexibility in the coming years. ADVERTISING Dwyane Wade is staying with the Miami
Dwyane Wade is staying with the Miami Heat, and his latest deal is designed to give both the player and the only franchise he’s ever known some flexibility in the coming years.
Wade signed a new contract with the Heat on Tuesday. It’s a two-year deal, the second of those seasons a player option, said a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side announced terms.
“I am proud to have spent every single day of my career as a member of the Miami Heat and to have brought three championship titles to this great city,” Wade said in a statement. “I’ve been here through the good times and the hard times. I have confidence in the Miami Heat organization and the team they are building.”
Earlier Tuesday, Wade tweeted “Home Is Where The Heart Is… My Home,My City,My House” and attached a photo of himself standing below the three NBA championship banners that hang at Miami’s home arena.
Financial terms were not announced, though it’s expected Wade’s salary for next season will not reach the $20.2 million he would have made under his previous contract.
Heat President Pat Riley confirmed that Wade again bought into the Heat mantra of sacrifice. The contract he signed four years ago left millions on the bargaining-room table, in part to make the deals with LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem happen.
“Dwyane has been the franchise cornerstone for this team since the day he arrived 11 years ago,” Riley said. “He has shown his commitment to the Heat many times over the course of his career and has always been willing to sacrifice in order to help build this team into a champion. This time is no different.”
Wade’s return was expected, yet still represents a huge win for Miami during free agency — especially since it comes less than a week after James left the Heat after four seasons and returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
So now, what was the “Big 3” is a “Big 2.” Bosh is in the process of finishing a $118 million, five-year contract with Miami.
Also Tuesday, the Heat signed Luol Deng to a two-year, $20 million deal, which was agreed to over the weekend.
“Luol Deng is one of the most important free agent signings that we have ever had in the history of the franchise,” Riley said. “He is a proven All-Star and quintessential team player, both as a scorer, as well as an All-NBA defender. He brings the attitude of a warrior and competes every single night against the very, very best.”
Miami also announced the signing of small forward James Ennis, who has been one of the team’s summer-league standouts this year. Ennis was the 50th pick in the 2013 draft and spent last season playing in Australia.
Wade is entering his 12th Heat season and is the franchise’s all-time leader in games, points, assists and steals. He and Haslem, who is also expected to complete a new two-year contract with Miami in the coming days, are the only players to appear on all three of the Heat teams that won NBA championships in 2006, 2012 and 2013.
He was limited to 54 games last season, in large part because of a maintenance program designed to limit wear and tear on his knees. But when he was on the floor, he was effective — shooting a career best 54.5 percent and averaging 19.0 points.
Wolves, Warriors restart Love talks
LAS VEGAS — The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors have reopened trade talks for All-Star forward Kevin Love, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
With most of the NBA in Las Vegas for summer league games, the sides have had a chance to meet face-to-face to talk about a deal mentioned as a possibility for more than a month. The person requested anonymity because both teams are not publicly commenting on trade discussions.
Timberwolves president and coach Flip Saunders was seen talking to Warriors general manager Bob Myers at the arena on Sunday as the teams look to bridge the gap that caused discussions to stall. The Warriors have been reluctant to include shooting guard Klay Thompson in any package, which has been considered a deal-breaker for the Timberwolves.
Wizards send Ariza to Houston in 3-team trade
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Houston’s attempts at landing a third offensive threat this NBA offseason finally paid off in the return of forward Trevor Ariza.
The Rockets acquired Ariza as part of a three-team trade that was announced by Washington on Tuesday, bringing the 6-foot-8 forward back to where he averaged a career-high 14.9 points during the 2009-10 season.
Ariza will join Houston in a sign-and-trade in a deal also involving New Orleans and the Wizards.
The Rockets will send center Omer Asik, forward Omri Casspi and cash considerations to New Orleans, while Houston will also get forward Alonzo Gee, guard Scotty Hopson and a 2015 first-round draft pick from the Pelicans.
Washington will receive center Melvin Ely and a trade exception as part of the deal.
Miller, Cavs agree to 2-year deal
CLEVELAND — Mike Miller had choices. None of them was better than playing with LeBron James again.
Miller has agreed to a $5.5 million, two-year contract with the Cavaliers, re-uniting the sharpshooting forward with James, his former teammate in Miami. Miller’s contract includes a player option in the second year, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet signed. Miller will make $2.7 million next season, and the option is worth $2.8 million, the person said.
Bulls use amnesty clause to cut F Boozer
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls said goodbye to forward Carlos Boozer on Tuesday, using the amnesty clause to cut the veteran forward after four seasons with the team.
Boozer came to Chicago in a sign-and-trade deal with Utah in July 2010. The two-time All-Star averaged 15.5 points and nine rebounds in 280 games with the Bulls.
He had one season left on a five-year deal worth roughly $75 million. The amnesty clause allows a team to waive one player during the current labor deal and have 100 percent of his salary taken off the cap and the tax. The 6-foot-9 power forward is still owed the money.
By wire sources
