Dwyane Wade Is Leaving South Beach and Joining the Chicago Bulls

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WADE COUNTY SPEAKS ON HIS DECISION on Live with Kelly!

After 13 seasons and three championships with the Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade has had enough disrespect from the organization this offseason. With very little folks thinking he would actually leave South Beach during contract negotiations (since both sides were far apart on the money figure), Wade County has decided to part ways with the team and is moving north, heading to the Windy City and the Chicago Bulls.

There are still details in the deal that have to be worked out, but if Chicago clears space by offloading Jose Calderon and possibly Mike Dunleavy, they will have more than enough cap space to sign the All-Star. In fact, they would be able to beat the 2-year, $40 million offer on the table that the Heat have on the table for Wade. A deal $10 million less than he’s asking for.

During the past few weeks, Pat Riley and Wade had been on opposite sides of contract talks, with the figure being lowballed by the Heat on every occasion. Obviously, Wade has taken significant pay cuts for the team in past years, to bring and sign the likes of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and others.

At age 34, Wade felt that the organization should do right by him and pay him what he deserved this time around, especially after the year he had and how far he took the team into the playoffs. Management and the player were not seeing eye to eye the past few weeks and Wade may have felt offended after the Heat put their chips on Hassan Whiteside rather than make him a priority in free agency (Miami maxed out Whiteside and ran out of cap space to pay Dwyane).

Wade County was the 5th pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and brought three championships in 11 years to Miami. Most considered him a Heat lifer, and probably still will, but it looks like his tenure in MIAyayo is done. It’s a sad day for Heat fans.

Read Wade’s goodbye letter to the city below (via AP).

“Dear Miami,

This has been an extremely emotional and tough decision to come to. After 13 years, I have decided to embark on a new journey with the Chicago Bulls. This was not an easy decision, but I feel I have made the right choice for myself and my family.

I started my NBA career with the Miami Heat in 2003 and it has been an honor to have played with them and help build a winning franchise with three NBA championships. I look back with pride and amazement at all we have accomplished together. I want to express my gratitude to the Arison family, Pat Riley, Coach Erik Spoelstra, the coaching staff, and the entire Miami Heat organization.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the Miami community and especially #HEATNATION for all of their love and support over the years. It has been truly incredible. I am deeply moved and appreciative of the positive messages from my fans expressing that they want what’s best for me and I know they will support my decision. The memories including championship parades and five conference titles are incredible moments we have shared that will always remain close to my heart as I begin the next chapter of my life.

Growing up in Robbins, Ill., I never dreamed that an NBA career could have even been possible and that one day I would wear a Chicago Bulls jersey. Watching the Bulls growing up inspired me at an early age to pursue my dream of becoming a basketball player. My most treasured memories were watching my dad play basketball on the courts of Fermi Elementary School and developing my game at the Blue Island Recreation Center. I have never forgotten where I came from and I am thankful to have an opportunity to play for the team that first fueled my love of the game. Many of my family members still live in Chicago and I am excited to return home to a city very close to my heart.

I look forward to returning to my roots and to what lies ahead.

Much Love and Respect,

D. Wade“

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