'Wading' for bigger deal and the future fiscal bomb

The Miami Heat reportedly offered Dwyane Wade the maximum contract they could, under the current collective bargaining agreement, which equated to a 5 year deal worth upwards of $80 million dollars. Dwyane Wade was ready to ink the deal and make it official - today, as the moratorium ends for signing players - but something else caught his attention: Lebron James.

James had been offered the same deal by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his potential lack of a signature has become a story as well as made many Cavs fans (most of them, of the newfound ilk) have sleepless nights.

But James got smart, he figured why sign for 5 years and only a measley $80 million when he could get more money in that same timespan by waiting a few more years? So, he pushed for a 3 year deal with a 4th year option. Why? Because the current CBA will only run for 3 more years - which creates an opportunity for James to possibly sign for more money when that new agreement falls into place.

And Wade, talking with his buddy, figured he would follow suit. After all, both James and Wade are better players than Carmelo and Bosh, but would be getting the same money. A slap in the face? Hardly.

What is at fault here is the economic system of the NBA. I have always said that the best system in place in MLB's. Yes, Major League Baseball. No, it isn't because of Selig - but rather, in spite of him. The owners and the player's association have tried to grapple with their shares of the money, but owners just couldn't display the same 'fiscal discipline' that their colleagues in other major sports have been able to. In baseball, there is no cap - only a luxury tax. But that threshold is so ridiculously high, very few will ever have to realistically pay it.

But the fact of the matter is, you wouldn't have this mess in MLB. If a team had a franchise player, in effect, a player of historic proportions, they would be allowed to re-sign him to whatever deal they saw fit. $100M? $200M? Any amount. It is pure, uncalculated capitalism.

So, what stands to be gained here for our young players Wade and James? The world. They can very feasibly affect the negotiation of the next CBA because their franchises, Cleveland and Miami, will have a vested interest in keeping them around. And the other teams, the potential suitors, will be lining up to keep things competitive so they could land their services for their clubs. This could create a schism within the owners' camp of the NBA. It will be interesting to see how these two young superstars careers not only affect the way the game is marketed over the next few years, but also be the pulse behind the financial heartbeat of the NBA itself.

It will be a bloody mess. At least, potentially in a few years when the new CBA comes to be negotiated.