Wade x LeBron?
Dwyane Wade and the Chicago Bulls finally reach a buyout agreement, after teasing the idea all summer. Upon terms of the deal, Wade agreed to give back $8 million of $23.8 million salary on the table; which was resolved before the start of Monday’s training camp and media day.
At the moment, the Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as the immediate favorite for Flash, to reunite with his best friend, LeBron James. However, the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are also on his list, if the Cavs deal doesn’t happen. In an interesting twist, the Heat currently would have the most money available to offer at $4.2 million.
Behind Miami, the Spurs have $3.3 million, while the Cavs have $2.5 million; and the Thunder could only offer the minimum salary, which is $2.3 million. If Cleveland did add Dwyane, they would have to pay a $10.5 million luxury tax, which we’re sure Dan Gilbert won’t be a fan of, initially.
With Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo both gone this summer, the Bulls can now focus on developing younger talent; as they are now destined for the worst record this season. This means Chicago will likely have the no. 1 pick in the 2018 draft to reboot their franchise. Let us know in the comments, where you expect Wade to end up for the start of the season, or at all-star break.
A Dream was fulfilled!!! Thank you Chicago!!!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) September 25, 2017
Dwyane Wade breaks silence about leaving the Bulls with the Chicago Tribune.
On trying to initially rebuild Chicago.
“I just felt it was time for me, turning 36, that I want to be competing for a championship. I said when I got here, it was always a dream for me to play here. And getting that opportunity was special. And I can’t even say it wasn’t what everyone expected because we went to the playoffs. And trying to restore this franchise to respectability was our goal. The organization decided to go in a different direction, which I respect. I understand how business works in this league. They were going a direction that at this point of my career, I didn’t want to be a part of. Being unselfish, these young players they’re giving these opportunities to, they need to have that time to make mistakes and learn as they’re growing and building what they envision. They don’t need an old guy like me hanging around them. Everybody treated me fine.”What caused the fallout.
“Obviously, we had that situation when me and Jimmy decided to go out in the media and say the things we wanted to say. The organization reacted the way they needed to react to show what they won’t take. But the day I signed, general manager Gar Forman was nothing but great with me. We communicated a lot. There are a lot of things that have been said about the Bulls front office and ownership. But for me, I have no complaints. They treated me fine. Michael and Jerry Reinsdorf and their wives were warm and open to me and my wife. I’m really thankful. They allowed me to live out this dream that I had. And deep in my heart, I’m always a Bulls fan from my youth. I’m always going to watch and support.”On the Bulter trade & blowing a 2-0 playoff lead.
“I understand the league. I’ve been around awhile. What did surprise me was I asked Jimmy about his conversations with them and it didn’t seem like it was going that direction. Plus, you’ve got one of the top five or six players in the game. That’s what you want and you were able to build that in-house. I was a little disappointed because being up 2-0 versus Boston on the road, Rondo goes down. If that doesn’t happen, we’re having a different conversation. But management never told me Jimmy’s not going anywhere. They gave me their take on the possibility of trade and left it open, which they should do. Even though I’m a player, I always put myself on the other side. For me, you’re either going to get behind coach Fred Hoiberg and build a team behind Fred that can help him be a successful coach. Or you’re going to get behind Jimmy.”Giving Fred Hoiberg praise & telling Chicago how to be successful..
“Also, I need to say this: A lot of people give Fred a lot of flak. I don’t think they should. He hasn’t had the opportunity he signed up to have, and I hope they get there and give him a team that works with his personality and his coaching style and his assistant coaches’ style. They were nothing but great to me. I appreciate Fred.”