The Los Angeles Lakers are aiming to have a better year next season following two lackluster ones and they will have ample cap space to sign big names this free agency which might include Miami Heat star guard Dwyane Wade.
As Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated tweeted, "While many execs still see Wade/Heat as contract saber rattling, a Wade option will be the Lakers. Mutual interest, per league sources."
Wade is currently in a contract dispute with the Heat whom he played for since they selected him as the 5<sup>th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.
The 33-year-old helped the team to three NBA championships and has always sacrificed for the benefit of the franchise.
Wade has to make a decision until Monday to either stay with Miami and earn $16.1 million (player option) next season or enter free agency.
The 11-time All-Star is looking for a long-term deal which will favor him financially while the Heat wants him to pick up the option.
In a report by ESPN, Wade and the Heat will meet next week to address the contract dispute.
Miami is looking to save money while trying to keep key players like Wade and point guard Goran Dragic.
This prevents the Heat from giving a max deal to either Wade or Dragic since the franchise both want them to stay in South Beach.
But at this stage of his career, Wade will likely not leave the Heat since he already said a number of times before that he wants to finish his career with the team.
But if contract talks between Miami and Wade fail, the Lakers will be leading suitors for the former Marquette standout.
Los Angeles is desperate to rebuild and will be willing to sign Wade if he becomes a free agent since they are looking for big names who can help them have a quick turnaround.
Although Wade's age can be a factor since he is already 33 years old, the Lakers can still ink him to a short-term deal.
