http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miam ... 3066.storyThis is how complex NBA free agency has grown for the Miami Heat.
A week ago, on the eve of the league's negotiating period, Dwyane Wade hardly was considered a concern at all. His re-signing was thought to be a formality.
By the weekend, the All-Star guard had emerged as a code-red concern, after two apparently productive meetings with his hometown Chicago Bulls.
Yet on the eve of Thursday's start to the league's offseason signing period, the player who may hold the key to offseason success for the Heat is a free agent who seemingly started the process in third place on the Heat's wish list.
According to a source familiar with the process, regardless of any other moves made by Heat President Pat Riley, if the Heat is able to secure Toronto Raptors power forward Chris Bosh, Wade will sign the six-year, $125 million contract the team has tendered.
Wade has remained in contact with Bosh, but Bosh's reluctance to accept anything short of an equivalent maximum is hampering any final, longshot push by the Heat to also land Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James. The deadline for any push has now been set, with James to announce his decision at 9 p.m. Thursday on ESPN.
Asked if James' timetable impacted Wade or Bosh, agent Henry Thomas said Tuesday night, "No, not really." He also said he had "nothing new."
In order to get Bosh a maximum, six-year deal, the Heat has to get Toronto to agree to a sign-and-trade transaction.
That means the Heat and Raptors having to find common ground, with the Heat's options limited to offering packages that could include forward Michael Beasley and guard Mario Chalmers, its only two players under contract, and draft choices, including one it holds from the Raptors.
"I figure Bosh is trying to get the extra year, so you've got the sign and trade there," said a player agent whose other clients have been put on hold until James, Wade and Bosh are signed. "It's frustrating for everybody. For the teams, it has to be crazy."
Contrary to broadcast reports, the Raptors have not summarily dismissed overtures from the Heat. Toronto has at least seven sign-and-trade offers from various suitors. While one of them is from James' Cavaliers, Cleveland is not necessarily a prime landing spot on Bosh's wish list.
There also was word late Tuesday night that Bosh just might prove amenable to a straight five-year, $96 million signing with the Heat.
thought id give you guys the heads up.