Heat re-sign team 'cornerstone' Wade

Jul 15, 2014 - 9:07 PM Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Dwyane Wade has re-signed with the Miami Heat.

After Wade indicated online Tuesday that he would be back in Miami, the Heat announced the deal in a news release calling the veteran guard the "franchise cornerstone."

Terms of the deal were not released, but multiple reports indicate Wade signed a two-year contract worth less than the two-year, $42 million he had remaining on the deal he opted out of last month, giving Miami room to sign other free agents.

"Home Is Where The Heart Is ... My Home, My City, My House," Wade tweeted on Tuesday, along with the hashtag #HeatLifer.

Indeed, he has spent his entire 11-year career with the Heat, helping them win the first three NBA titles in franchise history.

"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 shown his commitment to the Heat many times over the course of his career and has always been willing to sacrifice in order to help build this team into a champion.

"This time is no different. I am ecstatic to have him back in the fold and I am confident that Dwyane, as always, will be leading this team as we look to contend for NBA championships."

Wade, 32, opted out of his contract last month along with LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

After James announced last week that he was leaving to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers again, Bosh re-signed with the Heat on a reported five-year, $118 million deal.

So two of the Heat's Big Three will be back after four straight trips to the NBA Finals, including back-to-back championships in 2012-13.

Wade led Miami to its first title in 2006 but his scoring output has declined in each of the past five seasons since he led the NBA in 2009.

He averaged 19.0 points in 54 games this past season as he battled knee and hamstring ailments, his lowest output since his rookie season out of Marquette in 2003-04.