Despite the heartbreak from people in South Florida after finding out Dwyane Wade had decided to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers after negotiating a buyout from the Chicago Bulls, the 12-time All-Star didn't just leave the door open, but expressed vivid intent in returning to South Beach and retiring in the jersey that welcomed him into the NBA.
“Miami, the door’s always unlocked,” Wade told The Associated Press. “One day I want to retire in a Miami Heat jersey. I don’t know how that will happen, but I definitely want to make sure than when I decide to hang it up, that jersey is on. Whether it’s being back there or signing a one-day deal like Paul Pierce, I want to make sure that I go out the way I came in.”
While its fans will like to see Flash back on the hardwood once again, the team might not necessarily be ready to take him in at that position, just like it does now with sure-fire backcourt starters in Goran Dragic and Dion Waiters.
“Honestly, I didn’t feel they needed me there,” Wade said. “I feel that those guys are in a good place. They deserve to come back this year and see what that 30-11 was about. They don’t need me there over their shoulder or anything like that. That’s kind of how I approached it.”
Wade expressed the factors tugging into his decision, noting his family and their viewpoints came first on the list.
“When it comes down to big decisions like this, there’s two people I listen to: Her name is Gabrielle Union Wade and his name is Zaire Wade,” Wade said, referring to his wife and oldest son. “I listen to Zaire and my wife and try to see what they feel and what they want. Zaire told me just like this: `Dad, I would love to have you here and be around more. But I want you to go get your fourth ring.”‘
The 35-year-old Chicago native admitted it was flattering to be in a position where he is still wanted at his age — opting to sign with LeBron James and the Cavs in a reunion episode of their NBA careers.
“To be in this position, to be in this league so long and to have fans wanting you to be part of their team – I mean, we all want to be wanted – I can’t even explain what that means,” Wade said. “I really looked at their team and where could I fit in and what could my role be and would I be happy with that role.”
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