We’re sure Dwyane Wade really means it this time

Good morning. You’re stuck with me for today and tomorrow. Let’s basketball!

WADE A MINUTE: ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports that Dwyane Wade is “preparing to field outside offers” after early contract talks with the Heat broke down. If this sounds familiar, it’s because this is exactly what happened last year. The two sides threw a fit about a possible split before Wade settled on a one-year, $20 million contract.

We’ll have more on the Heat’s difficult situation later, but the upshot is that they almost certainly cannot afford Wade AND Hassan Whiteside if they want to make a serious run at Kevin Durant, and even keeping both Wade and Whiteside without Durant will be a challenge. They’d need both players to take a serious pay cut to make it happen -- Wade’s clearly (and understandably) tired of sacrificing for the Heat’s benefit, and Whiteside clearly (and understandably) wants his first big payday. It makes sense for Wade and his team to fire a warning shot to indicate he won’t simply go along with Miami’s grand plans.

But don’t overreact. Last year, both sides realized they had no better option than each other. I suspect the same will happen this year, but you never know!

HOW THE RICH CAN GET RICHER: We break down the numbers and explain why it makes financial sense for Kevin Durant to sign a two-year contract with a player option and jump right back into free agency next year.

Watch: Why this summer’s NBA FA will blow your mind

LIFE COMES AT YOU FAST: The Celtics, who are still technically alive in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes (but not really), are among the teams now chasing Dwight Howard. (So are the Hawks, as well as a few others.) Celtics Blog explains how this could work. I’m less sure, but we’ll see.

COME BACK! Tim Duncan opted in to the final year of his contract, but is still strongly considering retirement. I briefly explain why opting in now actually helps the Spurs’ free-agent dreams.

INTERESTING: An argument that the Spurs are losing a part of what makes them special by pursuing top free agents like Durant.

SETTLE DOWN: LeBron James is a free agent again! (LeBron James isn’t going anywhere.)

HEY, WE’RE TRYING! The 76ers are reportedly pursuing Harrison Barnes, as well as every other restricted free agent under the sun. Philly fans are probably anxious about possibly acquiring Barnes, but I wouldn’t fret because I doubt a) Barnes would even sign there, and b) the Warriors (assuming Durant stays in OKC) would let him.

WELL THAT SEALS IT: Kevin Durant approves of trading Serge Ibaka for Victor Oladipo and others. (Note: This does not actually seal it.)

OH BOY: You’ll want to read this entire story by Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding on the Buss family’s dysfunction. And you wonder how the Lakers have fallen so far from their glory days. (Related: They still believe Durant will grant them a free-agent meeting because they “can’t imagine” a star not considering them.)

I DON’T KNOW WHAT’S WEIRDER: Stephen Jackson as an assistant coach for a 73-win team, or Stephen Jackson possibly playing for said 73-win team.

STOOOOPPP: Your man Tom on why it’s insulting to blame top stars for skipping the Olympics.

GOOD FOR HIM: Kyrie Irving plans to torment his three Team USA Warriors teammates about winning the title. Hopefully he does it like this.

GOOD FOR HIM TOO: Erik Spoelstra signed a contract extension with the Heat.

APPLIES TO EVERY FREE AGENT: Chandler Parsons doesn’t owe the Mavericks s***, writes Tim Cato.

BECAUSE EVERY FUNNY THING TURNS INTO A MARKETING PLOY: The Super Friends have created a Snapchat filter out of their famous banana boat vacation picture.

HE’S STEALING OUR JOBS: A video and transcript of C.J. McCollum’s interview with Adam Silver. He might have a future in this journalism thing.

WELCOME! We have a new site manager for our Grizzlies site.