Dwayne Wade will become a free agent on Wednesday after his buyout from the Chicago Bulls completes. While there were rumors that Wade was considering signing with teams like the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs, it was the most likely candidate won the rights to sign Dwyane. The Vertical reports that Wade has already reached an agreement with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a one-year deal worth $2.3 million.
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James will seek their third NBA Championship together in the 2017-18 NBA season.
Dwyane and LeBron
Dwyane Wade was already a huge success with the Miami Heat before LeBron James arrived. In 2006, Dwyane brought Miami their first ever NBA Championship with Shaquille O'Neal, Gary Payton, and Alonzo Mourning. Then, in 2010, Lebron arrived in Miami along with Chris Bosh and the Heat went to four straight NBA Finals.
The Heat were able to win two of those NBA Finals appearances, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012 and San Antonio Spurs in 2013. Dwyane Wade won the NBA Finals MVP award in 2006 while LeBron James was the MVP in 2012 and 2013.
However, LeBron James left Miami after they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals and went back home to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He has since led the Cavaliers to three straight NBA Finals appearances, losing to the Golden State Warriors in 2015 and 2017 while beating the Warriors in 2016. James continued to battle for NBA titles while Dwyane Wade fell on hard times with the struggling Miami Heat and a Chicago Bulls team that imploded in 2016-17 NBA season.
The 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers
A lot of teams have improved heading into the 2017-18 NBA season. The Oklahoma City Thunder added Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. The Houston Rockets added Chris Paul. The Boston Celtics traded for Kyrie Irving and also signed Gordon Hayward. The Cleveland Cavaliers did pick up Isaiah Thomas in the Celtics trade but did little else.
Signing Dwyane Wade changes that. Wade struggled last season in Chicago, playing for a team with no real identity. He averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists a game for Chicago. His career average is 23.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds.
To bring in Wade, the Cleveland Cavaliers will have to waive one of their players with a guaranteed contract. LeBron James said at the Cavs media days interviews that he wanted Dwyane Wade in Cleveland. Now, it remains to be seen if that is enough to lead the Cavaliers to an NBA title.