Wade opts out of Heat for path to free agency
All-Star guard ends deal two years early to follow James as Bosh is expected to do same
Four days after forward LeBron James told the Miami Heat he was terminating his contract and becoming an unrestricted free agent, teammate Dwyane Wade followed suit.
Wade, a 10-time All-Star guard, informed the Heat that he was opting out of the final two years on his contract, leaving him free to talk to any team when the free agent pool opens on July 1.
Multiple media reports said centre forward Chris Bosh, the other member of the Heat's "Big Three", had also terminated his contract, but Miami had not confirmed the move.
Dwyane has been the cornerstone of our organisation for over a decade, and we hope he remains a part of the Heat family for life
The reported late on Saturday that Bosh, a nine-time All-Star, was still "undecided" on his contractual future. His deadline to opt out is today.
All three players had been widely expected to opt out of their existing deals to free up salary space for the Heat, then take less money in the short-term on fresh contracts with Miami, which would deliver a much bigger pay day in the long term.
Wade's decision came just three days after he, James and Bosh met in Miami to discuss their respective playing futures.
Power forward Udonis Haslem, a long-time friend of Wade's, also opted out of his contract with the Heat to become a free agent.
His move, coupled with those made by James and Wade, frees up a total of around US$45 million in salary for Miami next season.
"Today we were notified of Dwyane's intention to opt out of his contract and Udonis' intention to not opt into his contract, making both players free agents," Heat president Pat Riley said.
"Dwyane has been the cornerstone of our organisation for over a decade, and we hope he remains a part of the Heat family for life.
"Udonis has been the heartbeat of this team for 11 years," Riley added. "He has sacrificed countless times to make this organisation successful, and he is the epitome of what this organisation stands for."
Wade, 32, has spent his entire 11-year NBA career in Miami after being taken as a first-round pick in the 2003 draft, winning championship titles with the team in 2006, 2012 and 2013.
With James and Bosh, he has led the Heat to four successive NBA finals appearances in the past four seasons.
