Veteran Dwyane Wade felt deceived by the Chicago Bulls about the direction that the team will take in the coming season, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype. Kennedy reported that Wade wanted to get assurance from the Bulls that they will field a competitive team in the coming season before he decided on whether to exercise $23.8 million option in the final year of his deal with the team. The team gave its assurance to Wade, which later exercised the player option. At the same time, the Bulls assured Jimmy Butler that they wouldn't trade him.
However, the team negated on its promise to Butler, trading him and Justin Patton on Draft Day to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kris Dunn, Zach Lavine and first-round pick Lauri Markkanen. In addition, the Bulls waived veteran guard Rajon Rondo, signaling that the team will embark on a massive rebuild, which frustrated Wade. Kennedy added that Wade has not communicated with the front office for two months now. Despite their earlier claims that Wade will be a part of the team in the regular season, it was reported that the Bulls plan to reach a buyout agreement with the veteran in the coming months. This will give Wade a chance to join a contender in the regular season.
Wade has several options
If he gets a buyout, Wade has several options, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers. According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, LeBron James is confident that Wade will join him with the Cavaliers. James and Wade teamed up with the Heat, carrying the franchise to two NBA titles in 2012 and 2013.
If they get Wade, they will add a veteran presence in the locker room and a dependable scorer to help make up for the void left by Kyrie Irving. The Cavaliers traded Irving to the Boston Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round pick and a 2020 second-round pick.
Bulls had up-and-down campaign last season
Despite an up-and-down season with the Bulls, Wade averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. The Bulls faltered early in the season but recovered just in time to finish with a 41-41 record, good for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. In the opening round, the Bulls took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the No. 1 seed Celtics but lost the next four games when Rondo was sidelined with an injury. In his stints with the Heat and the Bulls, the 35-year-old Wade averaged 23.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.
