National Basketball Association

The timetable for Dwyane Wade becoming a free agent

Published Jun. 29, 2015 1:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Miami Heat probably figured they were done with having the franchise's future hang in the balance with a free agency decision after the brouhaha that was last summer. Now, with Dwyane Wade potentially becoming a free agent and leaving Miami, it feels like deja vu all over again down in south Florida.

You know that Wade is reportedly unlikely to opt into his current contract. But do you know the timeline for such a decision?

First things first: According to Joseph Goodman of the Miami Herald, Wade has until midnight (or 11:59:59, truly) Monday night to pick up the option on his current deal for next season. He doesn't have to opt out if he doesn't want to pick up that option, however; it's something akin to a pocket veto, where all Wade has to do is not pick up his option and he becomes a free agent.

If Wade declines to pick up that option, he and the Heat would begin negotiations at the stroke of midnight on July 1; teams can't actually ink free agents until July 5, but negotiations around the league begin on the 1st, when teams and players can verbally commit to deals.

In other words, if Wade doesn't pick up his option -- and all indications are that he'll become a free agent -- then Tuesday will be a day of existential terror, with Wade a free agent and negotiations lying in the very near future.

Prepare yourselves, Heat fans. This could be a bumpy ride.

(h/t Miami Herald)

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