Report: Pat Riley never called Dwyane Wade during free agency that took Wade to Bulls

In his season-ending press conference, Pat Riley said of Dwyane Wade, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:

He’s a lifer. What he’s done in this city over the last 13 years is irreplaceable. We want to do the right thing, there’s no doubt.

The right thing turned out to be a two-year, $40 million contract offer -- less than the Bulls, who got him, and Nuggets offered.

The right thing also apparently didn’t include a phone call.

Ethan J. Skolnick of the Miami Herald:

While you're watching Kelly Ripa, one more nugget: Pat Riley never called Dwyane Wade during the entire process.

— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) July 7, 2016

This certainly won’t be the last mudslinging after the messy breakup between Wade and the Heat. Wade doesn’t want to become a pariah in Miami for his exit, and the Heat don’t want to lose their reputation as an organization that treats players well.

Even if it’s true that Riley never called, I wonder how spun this is. Did he talk to Wade in person? Text? Email?

At minimum, the absence of Riley -- the famed recruiter -- at the Heat’s final meeting with Wade was telling.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:

Perhaps only this stands between Dwyane Wade and his Miami Heat departure: Possible one-on-one meeting with owner Micky Arison today.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2016

Wade sacrificed salary for years -- and was rewarded with successful teams, including two championship squads after luring LeBron James and Chris Bosh. But it also seemed Wade expected to recoup his financial losses someday.

That day never came, and if Riley didn’t sell Wade on Miami’s other positives, what was going to keep the star guard there?