Can Riley Keep Wade in Miami?

Dwyane Wade continued to hold Miami Heat President Pat Riley's feet to the fire today, when he said that he will stay in Miami if it becomes a championship-contending team in an interview with the Associated Press.The Heat's franchise player said that he wants to see improvements in the roster before he agrees to the contract extension that he is eligible to sign July 12. This contradicts Riley's assertion that his team cannot make any significant moves until Wade signs the extension. Riley is doing the right thing, however. It doesn't make any sense to trade for long-term deals without a commitment from Wade this summer. Even if the 6-foot-4 guard out of Marquette were to tell Riley that he will re-sign next summer, it would be too risky. Wade may mean it, but in basketball, one's perception can turn upside-down in an instant. For now, Riley should go forward with the mindset that if Wade signs the extension, the light is green for him to away his expiring contracts for long-term deals. If Wade decides to bypass the extension, Riley should still acquire one-year contracts to improve the team. As I have said countless times in the past, the only way I see Wade signing the extension is if Riley comes to him with a bold trade already agreed upon. Summer 2009 is the time to prove to Wade that staying in Miami is in his best interests as a winner. Wade has made it clear that he doesn't want to see too many of the same faces from last season. He said that another season hovering above .500 is not enough. This makes the moves that Cleveland, Boston and Orlando have made resonate all the way to Riley's office. The path that Miami must take to get to the top of the Eastern Conference has gotten tougher. the Cavaliers added Shaquille O'Neal, the Celtics acquired Rasheed Wallace and the Celtics traded for Vince Carter. Additionally, Atlanta, Detroit, Toronto and Washington have improved their rosters. And the last thing Wade wants to do is step backwards in the East. While there has been a lot of player transaction in the opening stages of the off-season, there are still options for Miami. Riley has expiring contracts, precisely what numerous General Managers want in this tough economy. New Orleans -- the team with the highest payroll for next season -- is undoubtedly looking to save some money. Anyone from Peja Stojakovic to Tyson Chandler to even former Heat player James Posey have contracts that extend beyond the upcoming 2009-10 season and could be available. Hell, it may even be worthwhile to explore a trade with the Wizards, a division rival and a team that has the third-highest payroll in the League. Antawn Jamison has been the obvious trade chip with three years remaining on his contract, but that would create redundancy with Michael Beasley. Maybe Riley could lead Wade to sign a contract extension with a deal in place to trade for Caron Butler, the dynamic small forward who was Wade's teammate in his rookie season. Washington may want to keep Butler, but it's worth a shot. The Utah Jazz, fifth in League payroll, is also looking to cut costs. Utah is working on dealing Carlos Boozer, but trading away Andrei Kirilenko would be even more beneficial for its payroll. Kirilenko may prove to be a legitimate third-scoring option -- behind Wade and Beasley, of course -- and play good defense, but he may also create redundancy with Beasley on offense.There is also the glut of big men the Los Angeles Clippers possesses. Chicago may be willing to trade Luol Deng with the emergence of John Salmons, but Deng's contract goes all the way to 2014. More broadly, all of these options may have questions attached, but they'd at least answer more questions than they create. The options are out there. The ball is now in Riley's court to deliver. The way for Riles to the ball back in Wade's court? To give him the help he needs tell his frachise player, "Here's your team. Go win a championship."