I think maybe he just wants to look out for #1 and not just be part of the Big 3 anymore. He may be seeing his take the max and have the other 2 settle for a lot less plan not happening. If Chris Bosh sees Marcin Gortat get 5 and $60 million he's got to look at his agent and ask, can't you get me a bigger payday than that guy? I'm a multiple time All Star and champion. Because the stories going around are Bosh starting at $11 million.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Bosh and Wade.
No one can really fault LeBron for insisting on the maximum. Not only is he the best player in the league but he's the one doing all the heavy lifting on that team. No one in the league deserves it more.
Bosh, considering what his role is can easily be overpaid. His role is a very passive one. It's not that he's worthless. There are times where he comes up huge but it's not often enough. It seems like too many times his game is forced to the perimeter.
But Wade is the most interesting in terms of this topic. He's nowhere close to what he was even two years ago. The guy is on an incredibly steep decline. Too many in the media are wanting to be nice and call it injuries but that's just working around the edges. It's really age. Wade isn't getting old--he's already there. But for Wade, it's kind of win-win. If Wade takes it on the chin and says he'll play for what he's really worth, the people down there will say he's selfless. But if the three of them weren't friends, Wade would have almost no leverage other than being well liked by the fans.
If I'm honest, this is what they should make:
James Max
Bosh 7-9
Wade 2-4
Bosh and Wade will probably make a lot more than that though, which isn't exactly bad.