D-Wade's Next Destination, Scouting The Southeast Division (Part 3 of 6)

The Southeast Division should prove very competitive this year with the return of Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards to playoff form. Can Miami build on Wade’s career year with a back to back playoff appearance? Time will tell. One thing is for certain, this season will prove to be a defining year for the Miami Heat franchise and its future. Here is a snapshot of each team in the Southeast division and the likelihood that it may be the next home of Dwyane Wade.

Atlanta will enter the 2010-11 season with 8 players under contract at a price tag of roughly 45 million. Unfortunately, Joe Johnson will also be a member of the 2010 free agency class so the question facing ATL is, do they resign one of their own or pursue Wade? More than likely the Hawks will pursue Johnson during the course of the regular season and attempt to lock him into a long term deal as pursuing Wade would be more complicated, requiring them to move an existing contract in order to secure his services.

Charlotte is another NBA team that is basically strapped for cash. Team owner Bob Johnson is looking to unload this floundering franchise once a reasonable offer is placed on the table. The Bobcats will go into the summer of 2010 with very little if any cap space, so don’t expect them to take on any added expense anytime soon.

Orlando as currently constructed already is a championship caliber team. They don’t need to acquire D-Wade in order to win it all. Besides they are projected to be 15 to 20 million over the cap next summer which makes the acquisition of Dwyane Wade virtually impossible. Expect the Magic to stand put and rest their championship aspirations on the broad shoulders of Dwight Howard for the foreseeable future.

Washington could be in play for Dwyane Wade in 2010. Their big 3 are under contract through 2011 and the Wizards have team options on 3 contracts next year that would free up an additional 6.5 million, giving them just enough cap flexibility to be a legitimate suitor of Wade. A quartet consisting of Arenas, Butler, Jamison and Wade would certainly elevate the Wizards to contender status. However the reality of the situation leads to the conclusion that this gamble would stagnant the franchise as any future financial flexibility would be non-existent for many years to come as a large chunk of their cap is tied up in Gilbert Arenas through 2014.

Miami remains the most likely home for Dwyane Wade in the Southeast division. There are plenty positives about staying put in Miami. It’s one of the largest markets in the NBA, it’s a tax free haven for NBA players and Wade is firmly rooted in the community. However, in order for Miami to remain a viable suitor they will have to draw other talent to South Beach. Aside from a 17 million player option for Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat has no other player on the books entering the 2010-11 season. Needless to say the Miami Heat will be extremely active in 2010 trying to assemble a team that will entice their star player to stay put.

Committed Salary – 17 million (Wade, player option)

Talent – (Team Options) Beasley, Chalmers, Cook and James Jones

Contend – It all depends on the quality of players that Miami is able to lure in addition to holding onto Wade. Rebuilding from scratch and becoming an instant contender is not easy but is do-able. See the 2008 Celtics for proof.

Offer – Miami will have more cap space than any other team entering the summer of the 2010 free agency bonanza. It won’t be the size or length of the contract they put on the table that compels Wade to re-up with his old team. It will be what they do prior to that offer that matters.