[BasketballGuru24Participant]

When Dwyane Wade checked his cell phone shortly after midnight Sunday, he got perhaps the most predictable text message of his life.

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After all, it hardly classifies as stunning news that the Miami Heat want to keep him.

Wade said Heat president Pat Riley texted those sentiments very early Sunday, in what amounts to a largely ceremonial move. The Heat had to wait until 12:01 a.m. on July 12 to formally offer an extension to the reigning NBA scoring champion, and Wade said Riley didn’t wait too long before pressing the send button.

“It’s no rush,” Wade said. “We all know that.”

Wade didn’t reveal what the text message said, other than confirming the obvious, that Riley was reaffirming Miami’s hope that the 2006 NBA Finals MVP sticks around for many years to come.

“Something like that,” Wade said, moments before he and Alonzo Mourning capped the five-day Zo’s Summer Groove fundraising series with a charity game featuring other NBA standouts like Caron Butler, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Wade’s Miami teammates Michael Beasley, Daequan Cook, Mario Chalmers and Dorell Wright.

Wade will meet with Riley and Heat owner Micky Arison later this summer, and those talks will surely revolve around a three-year extension that will last through the 2013-14 season.

There’s no timetable for any meeting, Wade said.

“Not yet,” Wade said. “We’ll get it set up when we all can get together.”

His future has been the subject of much discussion, particularly in recent days, after Wade did a series of interviews promoting the charity events he and Mourning were hosting. Wade has repeatedly said he is happy in Miami, but merely wants to see the team get better and an assurance that Miami will perennially try to be a championship contender before re-signing.

“Like I said, I’m good here. I’m happy here,” Wade said. “This is where I want to be and we’ll go from there.”

Wade set career bests last season in scoring average (30.2 per game), 3-pointers made (88), steals (2.2 per game), blocks (1.3 per game) and games played (79).

He could opt out of his existing Heat contract after the coming season and become a free agent. The Heat can offer a three-year extension now, keeping him under contract through the 2013-14 season. If he opts out next summer, Wade could sign an entirely new deal that would stretch two years longer and likely be worth at least $45 million more.

Wade’s agent, Henry Thomas, said they’ll weigh “a number of options” before deciding which course of action makes the most sense.

“It’s great and I feel very honored and blessed, first of all, to make it to the NBA but then to be in position where I’m on my third contract now and have a team want you and be a big part of the future,” Wade said. “That’s a testament in itself. It’s phenomenal.”

[Knicksboy34Participant]

He wont sign…..

[gatorheelsParticipant]

He shouldn’t sign if he knows what is best for him. No way would I want to stay with the Heat. I could care less about making couple more million by staying with them. The Heat just have way to many below average nba players. The future does not look very good for the Heat.

[BasketballGuru24Participant]

Pull off a kobe and put the team on blast……..tell them you want talent or you will want to leave, miami is a great city and i don’t understand why would he want to leave beside probably the lack of players……but whats best for him test the waters and enter free agency with a few options.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

I agree….playing pro ball in Miami is great. If I had to pick an NBA team to play for based on the city I would choose Miami. It is purely the lack of talent that surround Wade. Besides Beasley..the rest of the team is really lacking.

[BasketballGuru24Participant]

Mario Chamlers Looks Bright as well, but i agree besides beasley, and chamlers…….his team isn’t that good

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

He is going to leave. Miami is not a basketball city and has trouble filling the arena. Come to Boston when Ray Allens contract ends after this upcoming season.

[maravich44Participant]

Sweet Home Chicago awaits!

[Knicksboy34Participant]

NY….where Lebron is just around the corner!

[maravich44Participant]

Chi-town, where he can play with Bosh and Rose!

[Knicksboy34Participant]

Chicago is not for you Wade!

NY where you and Lebron and Rondo! can reign for 10 years!!!!

[maravich44Participant]

I know better than that, and more importantly…….D. Wade knows better than that. You can have Lebron and Rondo, but the home cooking will be too good for Wade to pass up. The opportunity to team with Rose to form the most excitng and talented backcourt since Monroe/Frazier will be his ticket home. And along comes Bosh!

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