No kidding.
I was hoping the article was about trading for him rather than him being bought out. I don't really see a scenario where he goes to the Heat if bought out. It won't really be about money, at that point (since he will have already received most of it).
I just REALLY hope he doesn't go to Cleveland, but mostly want him to just play out his contract. It's not like he really thought there was a chance he was ever going to compete in Chicago, which makes the opt-in even more ridiculous. It's all about $$$.
You're so right. It's all about the money for Wade. I don't blame him though.
He thought he'd be getting rewarded by the Heat for being a good soldier and taking less than max so many years so they could compete for championships but Riley screwed him. The wink wink deals with the promise for more later was just a rouse. Understandable from Riley's perspective but no other player should ever trust Riley again (not that he's got that much longer in the league himself).
So even if Butler had been traded first Wade still would have opted in. He'd never get $23M on the open market. Or anything close. He always planned on opting in, getting a buyout, and signing elsewhere.
I guarantee he won't take a dollar less than $23M - $4.3M (what the Heat can offer) = ~$19M for the buyout. He wants it all plus the ability to pick his next team.