Can Dwyane Wade help bring the Larry O’Brien championship trophy back in Cleveland? This is the question many basketball fans would like to see when the 2017-18 NBA season starts this October.

As of this writing, Wade is expected to get the clearance from the Chicago Bulls. This will pave the way for him to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers and reunite with former Miami Heat teammate LeBron James. According to league sources, Wade will sign a veteran’s minimum – the same deal signed by the 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player, Derrick Rose, back in July.

Contract buyout

The 2006 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player reportedly agreed on a contract buyout with the Chicago Bulls last Sunday. As reported by ESPN, Dwyane Wade has agreed to slash $8-million of his 2017-18 contract salary which is $23.8 million to reach the buyout agreement.

Once cleared, Wade, who averaged 18.3 points per game in his only season with the Chicago Bulls, becomes an unrestricted free agent. The three-time NBA champion has reportedly agreed to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers for a one-year, $2.3 million veteran’s minimum contract once released from his obligations with the Bulls.

Starter or second unit

“As long as we win, I don't care, honestly,” JR Smith commented on the possibility of Dwyane Wade getting the starting shooting guard position as quoted by Bleacher Report.

“If anything, it prolongs my career. I don't have to do as much; I ain't got to chase as many defenders around.”

Cavs head coach Ty Lue is expected to field Rose, Wade, LeBron, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson as his starting lineup in some instances, according to some basketball experts and analysts. However, most of them believe that Smith, Jae Crowder and Iman Shumpert would still end up getting more minutes especially with Isaiah Thomas out and Rose coming off an injury.

However, there were concerns about the Cavaliers’ defense with the addition of Wade. At 35, many believe that Wade may no longer have the legs of a player who was named three times to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2005, 2009 and 2010). Wade’s matchup with Warriors’ frontcourt tandem of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson would be a very interesting sight to see.

Small or big lineup

The addition of Wade will give the Cavaliers interesting lineup combinations. For instance, Coach Ty Lue can have a small lineup composed of Thomas – Wade – Smith – Crowder – James to match the Warriors' aggressive lineup composed of Curry – Thompson – Durant – Iguodala – Green.

Should they decide to play big and setup half-court offense, Wade is LeBron’s perfect partner in creating spaces for shooters. While Wade’s perimeter shooting has dipped during the past years, his aggressive drive to the basket remains unstoppable.