Although training camp begins in less than two weeks, Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade is still undecided about returning to the team for one more season.
One of the reasons Wade is taking time to make a decision is because he’s been busy off the court. Part of that entails business ventures that the 36-year-old is working on, including the opening of his 800 Woodfired Kitchen restaurant in Aventura, Fla.
Ahead of the formal opening next week, Wade spoke to the media about his big decision, per Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel:
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“I wish I had an answer for you. I don’t have it today,” Wade, 36, said, as he stood alongside Haslem.
Udonis Haslem, 38, is also collaborating with Wade on the opening of the popular restaurant. With Haslem agreeing to return to the Heat on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal, a roster spot remains available for the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
“You’ve got to call my agent and ask him,” Wade said, when asked if the Heat had extended the $5.3 million taxpayer mid-level exception. “I haven’t dealt with the money part of it.”
Although the veteran is weighing retirement, the former NBA Finals MVP showed he had a ton left in the tank last season. After getting traded to Miami from the Cleveland Cavaliers last year, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard put up 12.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 21 games with Heat. During the playoffs, Wade was the team’s second leading scorer with 16.6 points a game.
Over the summer, the Heat icon has posted videos of his numerous workouts and scrimmages. The clips have portrayed his amazing skills, shape and strength. Yet, Wade has declared that he’s not yet in training-camp shape:
“Absolutely not,” he said. “You can’t get into NBA shape until you play in the NBA. No one’s in NBA shape. Everybody’s in open-gym, halfway, half-defensive shape. No one’s in training-camp shape. No one’s in NBA shape. You can’t get that unless you’re out there.”
While everyone would love to see the Heat legend suit up for a 16th NBA season, they’ll need to have a little more patience. It doesn’t look like Wade is forcing himself to make a choice by a certain day, saying he will make the choice when he feels the time is right:
“Absolutely not,” he said. “You can’t get into NBA shape until you play in the NBA. No one’s in NBA shape. Everybody’s in open-gym, halfway, half-defensive shape. No one’s in training-camp shape. No one’s in NBA shape. You can’t get that unless you’re out there.”
The Heat’s media day takes place on Sept. 24 at American Airlines Arena.
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