With Dwyane Wade’s buyout from the Chicago Bulls inevitable, several teams have emerged as potential destinations for the decorated shooting guard. The Cleveland Cavaliers are not surprising frontrunners because of Wade’s affiliation with star LeBron James.
Another option is a return trip to Miami, where he still maintains a good relationship with former Heat teammates, especially Udonis Haslem. Wade and the Heat had an ugly divorce that prompted the team’s all-time scorer to take his talent to Chicago on a two-year, $48 million deal in 2016. Barry Jackson of Miami Herald reported that Wade is open to set grudges aside for a possible South Beach come back.
A pair of Los Angeles teams also popped up as ‘dark horse’ landing spots. The Los Angeles Lakers can still offer a significant amount of money ($4.3 mid-level exceptions) while the Clippers give him the opportunity to play with a still solid Western Conference contender despite losing Chris Paul to free-agency.
Wade to the Bucks
Outside of these contenders, the Milwaukee Bucks are lurking as another team that could make a run at Wade once he hits the post-buyout market. Like the Lakers, the Bucks still have a sizable non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($7.5 million) to spare.
Milwaukee’s rise as a power in the Eastern Conference would be an intriguing pitch for the 12-time All-Star, aside from the fact that Brew Town is always dear to Wade’s heart because of his college ball experience at Marquette.
The Bucks also had past run-ins with Wade in free-agency as they were one of the suitors for Wade before his decision to sign with his hometown team last year.
Jabari Parker’s contract extension
Jabari Parker’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, confirmed contract extension talks with the Bucks are underway. In an interview with Gery Woelfel of The Racine Journal Times, Bartelstein did not provide exact details about the ongoing negotiations, but initial talks have been mostly positive.
Parker’s camp is demanding a five-year, maximum-salary contract extension despite nursing a second ACL injury that would probably sideline him until next year. According to a source close to the situation, Parker won’t settle for anything less than a max contract.
This could pose a big roadblock ahead as the negotiation progresses.
Bartelstein had some success in getting his clients top-dollar deals before. However, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders believes it would be difficult for Parker to land a max-contract extension since the Bucks are seeking a team friendly contract. If no contract extension agreed upon before the Oct. 18 deadline, Parker would be eligible for restricted free-agency in 2018. The Bucks will have the right to match any offer sheet, but the fear of losing him without compensation could force the team to explore trade options.
