By Tim Reynolds
Associated Press
MIAMI ó Pat Riley’s plan to make the Miami Heat better in 2010 might start with signing Dwyane Wade in 2009.
The Heat president said Wednesday that the team has already broached the topic of getting Wade to extend his contract this summer, instead of waiting for the potentially blockbuster-filled offseason of 2010.
Riley called Wade’s future in Miami “absolutely” the top priority for the Heat right now.
“We would love to get a commitment,” Riley said. “I mean, he’s our franchise player. We’ve spent seven years together. We won a world championship with him. We love him to death. He’s irreplaceable. … But we also understand that he has the right to wait.”