Dwyane Wade will enter his 15th season in the NBA. However, it is still unclear what team uniform he will be wearing next season. Wade has a player option in his contract with the Chicago Bulls, so he can opt into his final year and earn almost $24 million. While there has been media talk surrounding a possible return to the Miami Heat, all signs point to Wade opting to remain a Bull.
Bulls believe Wade will stay
Dwyane Wade's easiest choice would be to opt into his final year of his contract with the Chicago Bulls. This is also the perception that reporter K.
C. Johnson has. Johnson, via the Chicago Tribune, reported that people within the Bulls' organization have the sensation that Wade will opt into his second and final year of his contract.
In doing so, Wade, who will turn 36 in January, would obtain a hefty $23.8 million. While many within the Bulls organization would prefer to begin to rebuild right away, it seems like the three-time NBA champion will be back with his childhood team. Johnson added that, contrary to prior reports that informed that Wade is required to make a decision by June 30, The Vertical rather states that it is due by June 27.
Wade recently spoke with ESPN’s Nick Friedell about his upcoming decision after his playoff run had ended at the hands of the Boston Celtics.
“I’m in a very good situation to where as a player you can decide what you want to do," Wade told Friedell. "And I have a lot of money to decide whether I want to take it or not. It’s not a bad thing — because I’ve worked my butt off for it over my career. But no rush in my mind."
Wade and Bulls' challenges
The Chicago Bulls snuck into the playoffs thanks to an impressive late run in the regular season.
However, their eighth seed was still nothing short of disappointing for a team with Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo, and Dwyane Wade.
The team's chemistry was always a topic of debate in the media and the various injuries that hit the team did not help the cause. The lack of leadership from the coach is also a concern for many Bulls fans.
Wade will have to take these issues, and others, into consideration before making his final decision.
However, it seems very improbable that Wade would turn down $24 million at this stage in his career. It is difficult to imagine him leaving behind that kind of money to join a different team, especially because he would most probably be offered much less elsewhere.
Wade is a three-time NBA champion, so he has no need to chase a championship by joining a contender. According to Rotoworld, during his exit meeting, Wade went on to admit that he would be even "open" to accepting a different role with the Bulls, including coming off the bench. His 29.9 career low minutes last season with the Bulls would be even fewer if that were the case next season. The future Hall of Famer will certainly have an important decision to make come June 27.
