Dwyane Wade Opts Out of Miami Heat Contract to Enter Free Agency [Report]

After reports that LeBron James has opted out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a fresh batch of news reveals that his former pal in Miami, Dwayne Wade, has also declined his player option for 2015-2016.

According to a Yahoo Sports report, Wade is planning to become a free agent starting next month.

Free agency, which starts on Wednesday, will mean that he has the freedom to choose any NBA team who would like to acquire his services.

For the past 12 years of his NBA career, Wade stayed with the Heat and won three NBA titles with them. This decision came as a surprise for his team than James' departure.

"In recent weeks, though, Wade's been making noise about a willingness to pursue free agency in the interest of getting made whole after years of taking lower salaries for the good of the team," added Yahoo Sports.

A similar Sports Illustrated report noted that Wade still has an option to sign with the Heat despite opting out of his contract, but this would seem unlikely if they cannot agree on the terms of his contract.

Heat president Pat Riley reportedly claimed that they want one of their star players to return despite reports that Wade is strongly being pursued by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Last season, Sports Illustrated said that Wade averaged 21.5 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.

A similar CBS Sports report added that the Heat wanted Wade to have a pay cut in their aim to get Kevin Durant for next year to join Chris Bosh and also Goran Dragic.

Aside from this, the same report said that Wade also struggled in his 60 games for the past season because of his injuries. "His production last year was phenomenal, a step up from the past two seasons. Without being able to rely on him game after game, though, has to affect his market value from an objective position," added CBS Sports.

On the other hand, Yahoo Sports said that Heat president Pat Riley may be pushed to make some tweaks in the roster.

Bosh is expected to return healthier after suffering blood clots on his lung which ended his performance last season. This is expected to help the team perform better in the upcoming season.

The only question remains is if Wade will remain with the Heat despite him opting out. He might consider staying if Riley can show him that he is a respected veteran player as per Yahoo Sports.

Maybe it is also time for him to feel that he is not always the sacrificial lamb to get higher-paid athletes to play with the team. But if he does not get to feel anymore special, it would be likely that he will play for another team next season.