The Miami Heat got off to a slow start this year, but a rash of injuries ultimately kept them from making the playoffs. However, the Heat don’t believe they’re that far away from being a contender in the Eastern Conference when they’re healthy, but his offseason will be key in determining their future. Here are the top three storylines to watch this offseason:
1) Dwyane Wade's contract negotiations
Wade has hinted that he may opt-out of his contract if he doesn't get a significant raise, which Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:
A Wade associate has told people that Wade would welcome a contract averaging $20 million annually over the next three years. If that's true, it would be understandable, considering the year 13-15 pay ranges for Duncan and Nowitzki. Wade's agent, Henry Thomas, politely declined to confirm that or anything regarding Wade's specific financial expectations.
We've heard the Heat would prefer Wade opt in for $16 million next season, then take a very significant pay cut over the following two years.
But it's important to note that those numbers were not confirmed by the Heat, which obviously isn't saying what it will offer when formal offers can be made July 1. And I would be surprised if the Heat didn't make a solid offer at that time; whether it's to Wade's liking is another story entirely that must play out.
Miami absolutely does not want to pay Wade as much as he wants, but they also don't want to lose the guy who has been the face of their franchise since 2003. It'll be very interesting to see what happens in this standoff going forward.
2) Who will they add in the draft?
Miami is in position to draft a young, talented player for the first time in what seems like forever, as they usually try to upgrade their roster through free agency. Pat Riley wants someone who can contribute right away, so seeing who they pair with their stable of veterans will be very interesting.
3) Can they re-sign Goran Dragic?
The top priority - behind keeping Wade - for the Heat is making sure they find a way to keep Dragic in Miami. He have the team a huge boost after they acquired him at the trade deadline, and they want to make sure they didn’t make that trade for nothing.
Dragic has said he’s also interested in joining the Lakers or Knicks once he hits the open market, but the Heat were one of his top choices as well.Miami can offer him more money than anyone else in free agency, and they might have to overpay to keep him in South Beach – creating an interesting dilemma for the Heat.
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