It's only been a year since Dwyane Wade left the franchise he called home for the first 13 years of his NBA career, departing for a two-year deal with his hometown Chicago Bulls after much contention with the Miami Heat front office and president Pat Riley. Yet Wade can suddenly make a return, since his lone recruiter, Jimmy Butler, was shipped out to the Twin Cities during draft night — expected to consider a buyout of his $23.8 million contract with the Bulls now officially in rebuild mode.
Wade is looking to play for a contender and hasn't ruled out a return to South Beach, offering that he was open to a Heat reunion before he retires during an interview last month.
“Dwyane Wade can apply pressure to be bought out and be bought out immediately,” said ESPN's Brian Windhorst during an appearance in colleague Zach Lowe's The Lowe Post podcast.
“I don’t think a return to Miami is necessarily impossible. It depends on what Dwyane wants to do. It depends on Dwyane wants to play a bit role on a serious contender, or he wants to set himself for another contract after this season.”
Windhorst also mentioned a reunion with banana boat-mate LeBron James could also be in the cards, as he is looking to add to his ring collection before calling it a career.
“If he went to Cleveland, for example, his role on the Cavs would be more as a supporting player, even a bench player,” said Windhorst. “If he went to a different team he might be a starter, or still be able put up good numbers and position himself for one final contract.”
The city of Miami has resented Riley for not opening up his checkbook more than Wade for deciding to leave — after failing to be the highest-paid player in the team during any of his NBA seasons, despite being the franchise leader in more than 15 categories, including a franchise-best 20,221 points scored.
Follow Us
Subscribe