So Dwyane Wade traded in his Miami Heat jersey for the Chicago Bulls. After spending over a decade helping the Heat win three NBA titles and reaching five Finals, D-Wade is no more in South Beach.
Personally, it’s sad. Sure. He decided to go home but what for? The Bulls are one of the most puzzling franchises in the league. They have no direction. Get rid of Derrick Rose, who was blamed for everything. Subtract Joakim Noah, who got one too many years to come home with the Knicks. Let Pau Gasol sign with the Spurs because Tim Duncan is supposed to hang it up.
At least they kept Jimmy Butler. Not like they could’ve shipped him to Boston for that third overall pick, etc. If you asked me to name the Bulls’ projected starting five, I can’t. They have done so many odd moves that it’s hard to figure out. Between sending Tom Thibodeau packing and hiring the confusing Fred Hoiberg, what are they doing?
Where does a 34-year old Wade fit in? The Bulls also brought in Rajon Rondo. Can he and Wade coexist? Wade’s from Chicago and starred for Marquette leading them to a Final Four. As the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft that featured LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh, D-Wade is the second best player from that famed draft. He’s a proven winner who has always been an electrifying player who can close games. When James and Bosh decided to join Wade and form a super team, they won two NBA championships and lost in the other two. But before James carried them to those two wins, Wade did it with an older Shaq to win Finals MVP in ’06.
Simply put, Wade doesn’t get enough credit for Miami’s first NBA title. He was 24 and won in his third year. Jason Williams was their point guard and Antoine Walker played a prominent role. They won with guys like Udonis Haslem and James Posey. Alonzo Mourning backed up Shaq. Gary Payton also was part of the roster. That’s probably one of Pat Riley’s best coaching jobs.
So, you might ask why would Wade join the Bulls for $47.5 million over two years. Of course, he also has a player option if he wants to opt out for 2017. Why wouldn’t he? The Bulls are going nowhere. I can’t understand why he didn’t just stay with the Heat. Granted. They only offered two years for $40 million. Based on what other players are getting, I can see why Wade wanted more. But come on.
The Heat with Wade, Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow could compete if Bosh is medically cleared to return from blood clots. That’s the biggest question with Miami. The Heat also have three days to match a four year $50 million offer sheet Tyler Johnson signed with the Nets.
When it comes down to the wild and crazy madness of NBA free agency, it’s unpredictable. It’s also become frustrating. Especially when you start to see rumors that Ray Allen wants to come back and play with the Warriors and their super team. Is this really what basketball has become? So much for competing.
