By Jordan Long
The Chicago Bulls and Dwayne Wade reached a buyout of his contract. He will be paid $15.8 million by the Bulls, $8 million less than what he was going to receive this upcoming season. With being bought out, Wade is a free agent and can sign with any team. According to ESPN, Wade said, “I’m going to take tonight and some of tomorrow and speak to the teams or players that are on my list and go from there. My decision is a pure basketball decision, and I’ll make the one that fits me best at this point in my career and with what I feel I have to offer a team that needs what I have to offer.” The Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat are all interested in Wade.
The Cleveland Cavaliers make the most sense. Wade would like to win another ring and the Cavaliers are built to make a deep run in the NBA playoffs. Wade would be joining a team where he wouldn’t be the only “superstar.” The roster includes Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, and LeBron James.
The other reason he wants to go to Cleveland is his relationship with LeBron James. James and Wade played in Miami from 2010 to 2014. During that time , the Heat went to 4 NBA Finals, winning 2. They want the opportunity to play together again to reach the ultimate goal, winning the NBA Championship.
The Spurs are another team that could use Wade. The Spurs have a big three in LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol, and Kawhi Leonard. Adding Wade makes this team more dangerous on offense. Wade is able to score points and find his teammates for easy baskets.
The Spurs went 61-21 last year and finished with the 2nd best record in the Western Conference. Adding Wade may help them win a few more games but it won’t close the gap on the Golden State Warriors. If Wade lands with the Spurs he will help them go all the way to the Western Conference Finals but it wouldn’t make them competitive with the Golden State Warriors.
The Miami Heat are a long shot to sign Wade. They are not a team ready to make a long run in the playoffs. With Wade they make the postseason as a 7th or 8th seed in the weak Eastern Conference, but it would be a one and done series. The only reason the Heat are interested in Wade is because they drafted him 5th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.
These are a few of the teams that want to sign Wade. It will be up to him to decide what is best for his basketball future. Hopefully Wade will make that decision soon.
Where should Dwyane Wade land?
Leave a Reply