Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade tries to clear the air

Dwyane Wade's recent public criticism of the Heat's lack of roster moves so far this summer was in response to a painful stance team president Pat Riley took last month regarding the guard's contract status.

Wade reiterated Thursday that no rift exists between the two, but he also said he did not agree with Riley's decision to hold off on any major roster upgrades until Wade commits to a long-term extension.

'Coach Riley opened up the wound when he said, `Until Dwyane signs back, we can't do anything,' '' Wade said Thursday during a charity golf tournament as part of The Summer Groove events he is co-sponsoring with Alonzo Mourning. ``But me and Pat Riley are not against each other. We both want the same thing. We're just in two different positions.''

And those positions have been clearly -- and publicly -- defined over the past three weeks since Riley divulged his position in a June 18 meeting with reporters in his office at AmericanAirlines Arena.

It was then when Riley said his top offseason priority was to re-sign Wade to an extension -- then address the team's other roster needs to build on a 43-39 finish.

Riley also said he needed to protect the team's spending flexibility next summer, when the Heat could be in position to re-sign Wade should he reject an extension this summer and add another top-tier free agent from a potential star-studded class that could include LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh.

But a fast-track approach could not be taken unless Wade was on board and locked in for the long haul.

''There can't be any major franchise changes made without his commitment,'' Riley said last month. ``He knows this. I'm going to do the best sales job I can. Whatever we do going forward is going to be predicated on that.''

Miami has the $5.8 million mid-level exception, a $4.3 million trade exception and a

$2 million veteran's exception it could use to improve the roster. But the Heat already is above the league's $69.9 million luxury tax, which results in a dollar penalty for every dollar in excessive payroll.

IVERSON AN OPTION

The Heat is exploring sign-and-trade options and is in talks with several free agents, including former MVP Allen Iverson, who has listed Miami among his preferred destinations.

Riley has not addressed Wade's contract status since he made those comments and has declined recent interview requests. But Wade has responded repeatedly and adamantly, and he has countered that he wants to see key roster upgrades before he commits to anything beyond the final guaranteed season of his contract.

During promotional appearances earlier this week, Wade said he would stay in Miami only if the team was a championship contender. Miami has not advanced past the first round since Wade, 27, led the Heat to its only NBA title in 2006.

Wade also questioned the readiness of the Heat's young players to take the next step in order to keep up in the East, where the Heat was the fifth seed last season but lost in seven games to Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs.

Wade said his patience has been tested in recent weeks with the Heat's inactivity at a time when Detroit, Cleveland, Boston, Washington, Atlanta, Orlando and Toronto all have made bold moves to remain or climb into contention.

The Heat's front office is believed to be concerned if not displeased with the public-venting approach. Wade even acknowledged Thursday that his comments in response to Riley's might have created a perception that he is at odds with the franchise that drafted him fifth overall in 2003. But any such perception should not be considered the reality, Wade said.

''I sense that, and it makes for good headlines,'' Wade said. ``I had to answer [questions], and I answered them -- to say I just want to make sure we build a winning team here. We both want this organization to build to win a championship now. He has to deal with the money side of it. I have to deal with the playing side. That's the difference.''

Mourning, who recently accepted a job as the Heat's vice president for player development, said Wade has been effective in his approach.

''The only way for people to understand what you're thinking is for you to communicate,'' Mourning said Thursday. ``So now, I think the Heat knows exactly where Dwyane's heart is.''

WADE CAN SIGN SUNDAY

Wade, coming off the best statistical season of his six-year career in Miami, becomes eligible Sunday to sign an extension that would tack three seasons and about $60 million onto his current contract.

Wade is set to earn $33 million over the next two seasons, but appears to be leaning toward opting out of his deal next summer for free agency. Should he opt out after the 2009-10 season, Wade could re-sign with the Heat for about $120 million over six years or take a five-year deal for about $90 million with another team.

''I think people look at it and see it's not about the money,'' Wade said. ``If it was, I'd sign back [with Miami]. The Heat can pay me more money than any other team, so it's all about winning for me. And that's what I'm expecting more than anything.''

Source: Miami Herald