Veteran Dwyane Wade and LeBron James could be playing together this season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, people close to James are confident that Wade will join the Cavs at some point this year. Nick Friedell of ESPN earlier reported that Wade and the Chicago Bulls are working on a buyout in the coming months that will allow the veteran to join another team. In the offseason, Wade exercised the $23.8 million player option in the two-year, $47.5 million deal that he signed with the Bulls last summer. However, the Bulls traded All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and rookie Lauri Markkanen, indicating that the team may rebuild around young players.
Earlier, the Bulls claimed that Wade will not be bought out and is included in their plans for next season.
Wade to boost Cavs’ offense
The Cavaliers were expected to create splash in the offseason to beef up their team in preparation for next season but came up empty handed with just a few free-agent signings. Cleveland almost acquired Butler but negotiations never pushed through after the Cavaliers parted ways with general manager David Griffin. The Cavaliers also had a chance to get Paul George from the Indiana Pacers, but the latter pulled out at the last minute. The addition of Wade could boost their campaign even if he’s coming off a down year with the Bulls. The Cavaliers have an available $2.4 million taxpayer mid-level that they can use to sign Wade.
In 60 games last season, Wade averaged just 18.3 points, his lowest scoring output since his rookie year. In 915 games with the Miami Heat and the Bulls, Wade averaged 23.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. Wade will be a welcome addition to the Cavaliers, especially if Kyrie Irving gets his wish to be traded. James and Wade won two titles in their five years with the Heat.
Heat to welcome Wade if he returns
The Heat are ready to welcome Wade if he decides to return to the team that drafted him fifth overall in the 2003 Draft. Wade led the Heat to the NBA titles in 2006 with Shaquille O’Neal and in 2012 and 2013 with James and Chris Bosh. Veteran forward Udonis Haslem, who played with Wade for 13 years, said the All-Star is a welcome addition to the Heat.
Heat center Hassan Whiteside said he has no problem if Wade returns to Miami, saying he is great scorer who can help the team in any way he can. The Heat can sign Wade through their full $4.3 million room exception.
