Dwyane Wade is now a free agent after reportedly reaching a contract buyout with the Chicago Bulls. Earlier in the offseason, there were reports that Wade wanted out of Chicago because the organization traded Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Wade would have earned $23.8 million in the 2017-18 NBA season if he stayed in Chicago. Now, he is getting less after giving up $8 million to complete the buyout, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported. Wojnarowski added that as of the moment, there are four teams interested in Wade. These are the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the San Antonio Spurs.
According to Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers are favorites to win the Dwyane Wade sweepstakes. One of the major reasons to this is LeBron James, who is his close friend and former teammate in Miami. The rumors that Wade is reuniting with James intensified several days ago when the two worked out together.
Other teams' chances
Perhaps the Cavaliers' toughest competition for Wade is the Heat. Wade spent the majority of his NBA career in Miami. Last year, he left because of an unresolved contract issue. However, everything is good now between him and the franchise. Both sides even expressed the willingness for a future reunion to happen.
The Thunder's chances of adding Wade may have improved just recently, following their trade with the New York Knicks.
Oklahoma City is going to welcome Carmelo Anthony, who is also a close friend of the former Bulls star. Anthony is the second All-Star the Thunder acquired this offseason after they accomplished a deal to get Paul George from the Indiana Pacers back in July. San Antonio might be on the list due to its reputation as one of the most successful franchises in the past two decades.
At this point in Wade's career, it is all about winning for him. The Spurs, who are title contenders each year, can help him with that.
Nikola Mirotic staying in Chicago
In other Bulls news, Nikola Mirotic will continue his career playing for Chicago. Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that Mirotic agreed to a two-year, $26 million deal ($12.5 million guaranteed) with the Bulls.
Windhorst explained that the second year of the pact is a team option.
The 2016-17 season was Mirotic's third year in Chicago. His numbers in the previous season, especially on offense, dipped a little but he remains a key player off the bench for the Bulls.
