Guard Dwyane Wade will return to the Miami Heat on a one-year deal in what will be his final NBA season, according to Adam Spolane.
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The 36-year-old had recently said that he was undecided about coming back for a 16th year in the NBA, but it seems that he has finally made up his mind. Wade had also said that the only team he would play for in the NBA, should he come back, would be the Heat.
The one-year deal Wade will be signing is either a veteran’s minimum contract, which is worth about $2.4 million, or a taxpayer mid-level exception, which is worth around $5.3 million. The most the Heat can offer the three-time champion is $5.3 million.
Wade was re-acquired by the Heat last season during the trade deadline in a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for a “heavily protected” second-round pick. The Heat’s all-time leader in points had spent a full season with the Chicago Bulls before deciding to sign with the Cavaliers before the 2017-18 season.
After returning to Miami, Wade went on to play in 21 regular season games (no starts) and averaged 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. In the playoffs, he proved that he could still play at a high level as he led the Heat to their only playoff victory against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2 of their first-round series, recording 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
With the signing of Wade, the Heat now have a total of 15 players under contract, plus the two-way contracts of Yante Maten and Duncan Robinson. Teams are allowed to carry 20 players during the offseason and preseason, but must cut the roster down to 15 before the start of the regular season.
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