With the all the trade rumor frenzy picking up just days prior to the 2017 NBA Draft, Dwyane Wade announced his decision to opt into the second year of his deal with the Chicago Bulls that will be worth $23.8 million.
Shortly after that was made official, the All-Star guard had a priceless response as to why he chose to pick up the player option instead of testing the free-agent market.
Asked Dwyane Wade tonight why he opted in with Chicago for 2017-18: "24 million reasons."
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 21, 2017
There had been a growing belief that Wade would pick up the player option despite the appeal of free agency being there in front of him. That said, this also shuts the door on a potential return to the Miami Heat for at least one more season.
Despite seeing a decline in his overall production, Wade averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. The 35-year-old still proved to be a reliable contributor in his 14th year in the league that could likely see him continue to play at that level next season.
Wade may have decided to take on the final year of his deal because he may not have received that type of base salary anywhere else at this point in time. This also provides him another year to play in front of his family and friends in his hometown while also keeping his options open for next summer as he and his close friend LeBron James could hit the free-agent market together.
Ultimately, Wade saw no point in walking away from an opportunity to earn nearly $24 million for another season.
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