Heat’s Wade forgoes option, chooses free agency

Face of franchise would havemade $16.1Min 2015-16

The relationship between Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat is about to be tested like never before, and the most accomplished player in franchise history soon might have a new home.

Wade will become a free agent Tuesday at 9:01 p.m. PDT, electing to pass on a $16.1 million option for next season. His decision was announced Monday afternoon by a spokesman in a 61-word news release, after Wade and his agent Henry Thomas did not respond to requests for comment.

Wade played for all three of Miami’s NBA championship teams. He has been an All-Star in 11 of his 12 seasons and is Miami’s all-time leader in plenty of categories including games, points, assists and steals.

“We want Dwyane back,” Heat president Pat Riley said last week.

Wade has left about $27 million on the table during his career and wants those sacrifices rewarded in his next contract. But he has missed 25 percent of Miami’s regular-season games over the last four seasons and turns 34 next season.

Earlier Monday, small forward Luol Deng announced through agent Herb Rudoy that he will exercise his option to play for Miami next season in a $10.1 million deal.

Mavericks: The Dallas Morning News, citing a source, reported that Dallas is going to make a strong push to sign unrestricted free- agent center DeAndre Jordan and will meet with him and his agents Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Other teams lining up to pursue Jordan are the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers, for whom Jordan played the past seven seasons.

Grizzlies: First-round draft pick Jarell Martin says he has a stress fracture in his foot that will prevent him from playing in any summer league games.

Martin says he “overworked my body” throughout the predraft process. Memphis chose the 6- foot- 10 Martin with the 25th pick in last week’s draft.

Hawks: Guard Kyle Korver will undergo his third surgery since March when a specialist removes loose bodies fromhis right elbow Tuesday. Korver, 34, had surgery for a broken nose three months ago and, earlier this month, surgeons repaired ligament damage in his right ankle.

Magic: General manager Rob Hennigan said the team waived guard Ben Gordon and learned draft pick Mario Hezonja had completed a buyout with European club FC Barcelona. Hezonja, 20, was the fifth pick.

Hornets: The team told center Bismack Biyombo it will not extend him a $4.1 million qualifying offer to restrict his upcoming free agency.