Dwyane Wade said that a potential Heat ownership role is something "not in his immediate future," though it remains a "long-term possibility," according to Barry Jackson of the MIAMI HERALD. This comes after Wade last year spoke of his interest in becoming an NBA owner, and said that his "preference would be" to join the Heat's ownership group. Wade said, "We've definitely sat down and talked about what I wanted to do when the game was over with." Wade: "That is a conversation that will continue to be ongoing. ... My ties to Miami will never go anywhere. When the opportunity makes sense and it's right, then we will definitely sit down and have an even more in-depth conversation" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/23).
FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS? In Phoenix, Kent Somers reiterated that Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald will not be "involved in the daily operations of the Suns" while he is still active in the NFL after buying a minority stake in the team. He will not advise GM James Jones at the trade deadline, nor tell coach Monty Williams "how his rotation of players should change." However, what he can be a "sounding board and adviser" for Owner Robert Sarver and a "mentor to Suns players." He already has "played that role a bit" to some extent. The price of Fitzgerald's stake has not been revealed, but it is likely that Sarver "sold it at a bargain." Somers: "That's what a friend does, and Sarver and Fitzgerald have been close for several years" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/23). ESPN's Brian Windhorst noted Sarver has been "leaning on Larry Fitzgerald the last couple of years, possibly to help him increase his Q-rating in Phoenix." ESPN's Rachel Nichols noted there is "no one more popular in that state" than Fitzgerald ("The Jump," ESPN, 1/22). Meanwhile, ESPN's Bomani Jones noted he understands Fitzgerald's connection to the Phoenix area, but he said, "I feel like he's done enough losing with the Cardinals that you don't need to buy an ownership in losing" ("High Noon," ESPN, 1/22).
