NBA Free Agency: 5 top targets for Miami Heat

4. Re-sign Dwyane Wade

As I mentioned on the last slide, operating the salary cap (even with its increase) to contain three massive contracts isn’t easy. A pairing of Durant and Whiteside alone would be costly, but the Heat have the matter of team legend Dwyane Wade to deal with.

Wade made $20 million last season, with his history, improved health, averages of 19 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game, and his clutch playoff performances and elevated three-point shooting earning that value.

He wants to be rewarded for that, and some issues he’s had with the Heat’s current offers are causing the question of his future with the team to arise.

As Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald has reported, Wade wants to see their approach with his contract change, but both parties ultimately want to make something work:

"Wade is unhappy with the Heat about the approach it has taken with his contract, a friend of Wade said this week. That’s why, as ESPN reported, his agent has told Dallas, San Antonio and other teams that he’s available, though some NBA people believe Wade is simply looking for leverage… But let’s be clear: Miami wants to keep Wade, who said earlier this year that he intends to finish his career here. And it would be surprising if this doesn’t end with Wade re-signing and both sides professing their love for each other. The possibility of him leaving cannot be ruled out, but it’s still difficult to envision this."

Regardless of current contract situations and the reports of the Spurs and Mavericks entering Wade’s mind, picturing him leaving Miami is still hard to do. Once Durant does what everyone expects and re-signs with the Thunder, the Heat can return their focus to rewarding Wade for his services and adapt the roster in any way they can after securing Whiteside.

So, providing the Wade-Whiteside duo head into next season together, what else do the Heat need?

Next: Searching for a veteran shooter