There really was little doubt Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki ever would leave the only NBA homes they have known in the current free-agent frenzy.
On Tuesday, both squashed all doubt when they re-upped with deals that provide their respective teams with considerable cap flexibility.
The signings of Wade with Miami and Nowitzki with Dallas highlighted a day that also included reports of revived talks between the Timberwolves and Warriors concerning Kevin Love and the Bulls using the amnesty provision on Carlos Boozer.
Wade re-signed with the Heat for what the Associated Press reported was two years at $34 million with a player option for the second year.
The Heat rapidly are trying to regroup after the staggering departure of LeBron James who decided to return to Cleveland. With Wade in the fold and Chris Bosh in the process of finalizing a 5-year, $118 million deal, the Heat’s Big Three is now a Big Two and Lou — Luol Deng finalized his two-year, $20 million deal Tuesday.
Home Is Where The Heart Is… My Home,My City,My House..#HeatLifer http://t.co/lMmP2JTDQY
— THREE (@DwyaneWade) July 15, 2014
Wade announced his intentions on Twitter, posting, “Home is Where The Heart Is…My Home, My city, My House..#HeatLifer”
Wade has played 11 seasons, all with Miami, winning three NBA titles.
“Dwyane has been the franchise cornerstone for this team since the day he arrived 11 years ago,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement. “He … has always been willing to sacrifice in order to help build this team into a champion. This time is no different.”
Riley also claimed “Signing Luol Deng is one of the most important free agent signings that we have ever had in the history of the franchise. He is a proven All-Star and quintessential team player.”
Nowitzki also helped his club. Despite max contract offers, according to ESPN.com, from the Rockets and Lakers, he stayed with the Mavs for what sources said is a three-year, $25 million deal.
“It’s official, @swish41 [Nowitzki] re-signs with the Mavs. Gotta love the Big German!” the Mavs tweeted on the team’s account.
Nowitzki made $22.7 million in 2013-14 and agreed to considerably less to enable the Mavs to land free agent Chandler Parsons and to assume the contract of ex-Knick Tyson Chandler.
The Mavericks also signed veteran power forward Rashard Lewis to a one-year deal.
Meanwhile in a development the Knicks will closely monitor, AP reported Minnesota and Golden State have restarted talks for the All-Star Love whom the Knicks have targeted as a free agent possibility in 2015. The snag in past talks has been Golden State’s unwillingness to include Klay Thompson in any deal. The T’Wolves reportedly also have spoken to Cleveland, which has been just as reluctant to include No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins in talks.
Love can opt out of his contract next summer and has told the Wolves he wants to play for a contender. He has not seen the playoffs in six seasons.
When the Bulls reached agreement with Pau Gasol, it signaled the end for Boozer who has a $16.8 million salary for 2014-15. The Bulls pay but it does not count against their cap.
“Carlos epitomized professionalism in everything he did for the Bulls,” general manager Gar Forman said in a statement released by the team.
Elsewhere Tuesday, sharpshooter Mike Miller rejoined his ex-Heat pal, James, in Cleveland agreeing to a two-year, $5.5 million deal, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Pelicans announced they completed the three-team trade that brings them center Omer Asik, from Houston, along with swingman Omri Casspi and cash. Houston’s big take is swingman Trevor Ariza in a sign-and-trade from Washington. Pelicans guards Alonzo Gee and Scotty Hopson and a protected New Orleans 2015 first-round pick also go to Houston while the Wizards get Melvin Ely from the Pelicans. For Hopson, it was the third time he was traded since Thursday.
Washington then moved and worked out a sign-and-trade with the Celtics for ex-Net Kris Humphries who will get $13 million over three years with the final year a team option, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Hawks also have acquired guard/forward Thabo Sefolosha in a sign-and-trade deal with the Thunder.
Atlanta also received the rights to Giorgos Printezis and cash considerations from Oklahoma City for the rights to Sofoklis Schortsanitis and a trade exception.