The NBA had yet another seismic change in the league as 13-year Heat veteran Dwyane Wade announced last night that he will be leaving his Miami franchise to return to his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls. Yet, despite being the franchise leader in points, assists, and win-share, Wade shared on ABC's “Live With Kelly” that the shooting guard was not contacted even once by Heat president and former coach Pat Riley during his free agency, showing how bad the Heat-Wade relationship truly was.
Although Wade discussed leaving the franchise where he won three championships throughout this free agency season, analysts around the association generally assumed that the 2006 Finals MVP would eventually return to Miami. Yet, after finally meeting with Heat owner Micky Arison this Wednesday, the Heat and Wade's camp couldn't reach an agreement on contract negotiations, while the Bulls seized their opportunity and created the necessary cap space to meet Wade's demands.
In addition to the Bulls, the Nuggets and the Bucks were ” target=”_blank”>other suitors in the race, but, with the Bucks unable to offer more than $17 million this upcoming season, a decrease in Wade's salary, and the Nuggets unable to truly interest Wade, the decision ultimately became whether Wade would return to his hometown and leave a franchise he's called home for 12 years.
In order to free the cap flexibility, the Bulls immediately traded away newly acquired point guard Jose Calderon and two future 2nd-round picks to the Lakers while also trading important rotation player forward Mike Dunleavy to the defending champion Cavaliers. After the trades were finalized, the Bulls signed Wade to a 2-year, $47.5 million deal.
Leading up to Wade's decision on Wednesday, ” target=”_blank”>it was reported that the Heat and their franchise shooting guard's relationship had been on the rocks, with the Heat unwilling to offer the 12-time all-star a guaranteed third year or his demanded $25 million per year. Wade had previously taken two pay cuts during his 2010 and 2014 free agency stints in order to stay with the Miami franchise and sign championship caliber players, but after feeling second-class to free agent center Hassan Whiteside, Wade refused to take a pay cut this year.
Even more shocking was the way that the Heat organization handled Wade's free agency. Reports have shown that Wade not only wasn't contacted during the first couple days of free agency but also was put on hold until premier free agent Kevin Durant made his own decision. In addition to mishandling the first couple days, Wade was not once contacted by Heat general manager and front office leader Pat Riley, making the 3-time scoring champion feel disrespected by his own franchise.
With Durant now in a Warriors jersey and Wade now announcing his relocation to Chicago, the make-up of the NBA will be drastically different, and Chicago will remain an interesting roster to watch heading into next season's campaign. Whether a Wade-Jimmy Butler scoring combination or a Rajon Rondo-Wade floor general combination can prove successful for long periods of time will puzzle analysts throughout this fresh offseason.
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