Wade sat on the couch, staring blankly ahead.

The living room was pitch black, and the TV was the only light source in the space.

But it's clear that Wade's mind isn't on the TV.

He looked at the clock, and the hour hand was already between 12 and 1.

It was late at night, but Wade didn't feel sleepy. He took out his phone again and looked at today's news.

"The Heat offered an insulting price of 18 million for 2 years to renew Wade's contract, and the negotiations reached an impasse!"

"In this Lane. Anderson can get 20 million a year, Nicholas. Batum was able to get a contract of 100 million yuan. Riley just gave Wade 18 million? ”

"Shame! Look what the Cuban did to Dirk, bastard! ”

"Dwayne. Wade didn't respond, with most believing he would choose to leave Miami. Currently, Wade's hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, is actively negotiating. ”

Wade smiled, he didn't expect that at the age of 34, he could still cause such a big storm in the free agent market.

Of course, this is just a self-deprecating laugh. Because from the bottom of his heart, Wade was not happy at all.

Abandoned by the Miami Heat, this is something Wade never thought about.

In this context where the salary cap has skyrocketed, and in this context where everyone can get a big contract, as long as it is a starter, they can get 20 million.

Wade couldn't believe it, Pat. Riley would have made such a decision!

In fact, Wade wasn't eager for much money. Wade is even willing to take a voluntary pay cut for the Heat if needed.

As a signboard of the city, it is natural to take a salary cut to stay in the team. It's just that a minimum of respect is still required.

The point is, the Heat's contract is really lacking in respect, and what Wade wants is respect.

In fact, as early as two years ago, Riley was already grinding hard with Wade.

Last year, the two sides quarreled for most of the season, and finally ended it with 20 million a year.

Ahead of the opening of the free agent market this year, Pat Brown. Riley has never given Wade a clear answer to the contract extension. Combined with the experience of the previous two years, Wade's heart was already a little hurt.

As a result, Riley is now offering such a humiliating price.

18 million in 2 years, you know, just this morning, the Heat just signed Joe for 2 years and 22 million. Johnson!

That is to say in Pat. In Riley's eyes, his team spirit is not even as important as a scorer who has already passed away!

Fans are ridiculing that the Heat are generous to everyone, except for Wade, Pat. Riley really treats Wade as his own.

This insulting offer made Wade very sad. What does that feel like? He made Miami his home and dedicated all his youth to it.

But when he was old and wanted to die well, he was brutally kicked away.

Wade is no kid anymore, he's been fighting in this league for 13 years. He'd seen too many comings and goings, coming and going.

But this time, when it was Wade's turn to do something like this, he couldn't accept it at all.

In 2010, Dirk stayed in Dallas for 4 years with 80 million. At that time, it was reported that Cuban actually offered Dirk a four-year contract of 96 million, but Dirk refused.

Dirk told Cuban, "It's too much, I just need 80 million in 4 years".

In the same year, Ray. Allen renewed his contract for 2 years and 20 million, and Pierce for 4 years and 61 million. At that time Ray. Both Allen and Pierce were no longer young, and the league's salary cap was only 58 million at the time.

People keep saying Danny. Angie is a cold-blooded and ruthless jerk, but this time with Pat. Compared to Riley's operation, he was simply too warm.

Of course, how can you forget that after Kobe Bryant was injured at the age of 36, he still signed a two-year contract worth 48.5 million with the Lakers.

Do the general managers of these teams really not know that these players are old? Do they really not care about salary space?

Of course not!

But, that's called respect!

Respect isn't something everyone deserves, but the Heat should respect Wade.

The two championships were not on the table first, and said that in 2014, James returned to Cleveland, and Riley immediately gave Bosh a five-year contract of 118 million.

But what about Wade? He did not get the final pension contract, but jumped out of the original 2-year 42 million, and then signed a 2-year 31 million contract......

That's right, jumping out of the current contract and signing a smaller ...... No one would do that, but Wade just did it, just to give the Heat salary space to operate.

What was the reward he was waiting for? is an insulting offer of less than 10 million a year.

Shaking his head, Wade turned off the TV. But he wasn't going to end his fucking day like that, he picked up his phone and dialed a call.

"Hank, haven't slept yet, have you? I think...... Well, I'd like to meet you now. ”

"Now?" The voice on the other end of the line was a little confused, after all, it was almost one o'clock in the morning.

"Well, right now."

"Okay, see you at the old place?"

"Old place."

※※※

Wade sits on a street basketball court by Miami Beach, which he loves because the atmosphere reminds him of the streets of Chicago.

After a while, a man with a retro mustache, glasses, gray hair, and a slightly chubby figure walked over.

Seeing him, Wade smiled. Anytime he could be seen, Wade was at ease.

Henry. Hank. Thomas is a professional sports manager at CAA. His first client was Tim. Hardaway, who signed Wade and Bosh in 2003.

But in fact, Thomas and Wade's relationship began before 2003.

From the moment Thomas entered Marquard's old residence hall and met Wade and his family, trust was built between them.

At that time, Wade had a falling out with his father, and it was Thomas who was in charge of all the affairs of Wade's entry into the NBA, and gave his family a great help.

Wade has always disliked calling Thomas his manager because it means more to him.

If anything, Wade thinks Thomas's identity is more like ...... Father!

When he was lost, it was Thomas who brought him into the NBA.

And now, Wade is confident that Mars can still show the way to his lost self.

"I'm sorry, Hank, I know it's late." Wade beckoned Thomas to sit down, then waved his hand.

"It's okay, get used to it." Thomas shrugged, and it wasn't the first time in the past two years that he had worried about Wade's contract extension.

"This afternoon...... What do they say? ”

"Pat. Riley said he was willing to raise his salary. ”

"Really? How much? Wade was overjoyed, and sure enough, Riley was not ungrateful!

"20 million in 2 years, that's right, 2 million more than 18 million in 2 years."

"!" Wade's mood instantly "turned cloudy".

"I said a long time ago, don't keep giving in a few years, don't keep making concessions, you don't believe it. You think Pat. Will Riley thank you for your concessions? No, he will only squeeze you further because of your concessions. Thomas shook his head, he hadn't tried to persuade Wade before, and in 14 years, he even suggested that Wade leave altogether.

With Wade's state at the time, he could have signed a length-term contract with a championship-contending team.

As a result, Wade refused, and he chose to jump out of the contract and voluntarily take a pay cut. At that time, Wade proudly said, "I'm a Heat player, I'm not going anywhere."

How proud Wade was then, how lost he is now.

"yes...... Maybe I should have listened to you a long time ago...... That being said, Miami can't stay. Wade looked up at the city that belonged to him, and his heart ached.

"If you don't mind Riley insulting you like this, you can choose to stay."

"Haha, who are the potential next home?"

"Chicago, your hometown." Without thinking, Thomas replied, "They're competitive in the East, Jimmy. Butler's growth has also been frighteningly fast. ”

"What if..... I mean, I don't want to be in the east? ”

After Wade said this, Thomas cast a surprised look.

"It's all this time, and you're still thinking about Miami? Don't want to be a match for the Heat? And even for this, to give up the call of their hometown team!? Oh my God, you're hopeless, Dwayne! ”

Wade curled the corners of his mouth slightly and shook his head, "You're going to be hopeless, Thomas." By the way, is there any news on the Memphis Grizzlies? ”

At this time, Wade suddenly remembered the text message that Link had sent to him a few days ago in Los Angeles.

"Yes, they asked, and the offer was very sincere. But I don't think you're going to be able to maintain exposure under Link's aura, and he's played next to tepid stars like Gasol, Conley and Iguodala, and that's the only one who suits him. But you're different, Dwayne. Besides, if you join the Grizzlies and join a team that has left a scar on Miami, public opinion will be very unfavorable to you. ”

"It's all this time, and you're still thinking about Miami? You're hopeless, Thomas. Wade hit back at his manager with his exact words.

"Hey, I said I didn't want to be in the East, but it wasn't because of the Miami Heat. Do you know what I'm thinking right now, Thomas? Wade continued.

"What are you thinking?"

"I want to win!" He replied categorically.

"Got it figured?"

"Almost, since you can't live in Miami...... Then go to a place where you can win. In the last few years, I don't want to throw in the towel. ”

After Wade finished speaking, he picked up his phone and found Link's phone number.

This time, it's time for him to text Link.

After the Heat lost to the Grizzlies in the '14 Finals, Link and Wade hugged and said you are always welcome to come to Memphis.

In the summer of '16, Wade finally decided to go to Memphis to take a break.

"Now, are you still welcoming me?"

A simple text message determined Wade's path in the future.