Dwyane Wade opted out of the final two years of his contract that would have paid him $41.6 million and instead accepted a two-year, $31 million deal. The contract includes a player option next for $16.1 million.

Wade said last summer that he was curious to see what he could command in the summer of 2016, when the cap is expected to skyrocket from $67 million to $89 million. 

But according to associates, there is a sentiment in Wade's camp that he could opt out this summer with the hope the Miami Heat would give him a three-year deal.

The Heat would be content with Wade opting in for next season, the re-signing for significant but not huge money for another two seasons in 2016.

A sizable gap between what Wade would like over the next three seasons and what the Heat are prepared to pay him has materialized.