It seems like it’s only a matter of time until Dwyane Wade is granted a contract buyout from the Chicago Bulls and becomes a free agent.
Most recently, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat have been pegged as potential destinations for Wade if he is granted a buyout, and on Thursday, Wade himself discussed his potential future in the NBA.
NBA.com’s David Aldridge spoke with Wade about his NBA future, and while Wade was careful not to name names, he was open about what kind of team he would ideally like to play for at this stage in his career.
“First of all, obviously, everyone wants to compete,” Wade said. “It’s no secret. We would all love to compete for a championship at the end of my career. That is one thing I would love to do. I’m not in a position right now to do that so I can’t talk about what that preference is. Hopefully, one day before I’m done playing this game, I can be back in position to compete for a championship.”
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Wade elaborated on his comments after Aldridge asked if he would like to be on another team that can compete for championships.
“Definitely, definitely. It’s no secret. And everyone knows that. I’ve been lucky. I’ve been to five Finals. So If I never go to another one, I can’t complain. But I would love to. I would love to because I feel I can add to something a team that’s in that position,” he said. “That’s not something I can focus on or something I can worry about right now.”
Aldridge pushed further, asking Wade if he would like to be granted a contract buyout.
“What’s funny is I haven’t said anything…. It’s a reason for that. I’m not about the going back and forth. A lot of people make it that way. I’m not about the going back and forth. When the time is right for me and the Chicago Bulls to sit down and talk about the future, we will do that. The time hasn’t been right obviously to this point,” Wade responded. “But I will be in Chicago soon enough and hopefully we get an opportunity to sit down and talk about the future and the direction and go from there. I’m 35 years old. I’m a grown man. I can definitely sit across the room from you and listen to your truth and hopefully hear mine and go from there.”
Hearing Wade talk about his future is fascinating. While he is clearly being careful with his words, it seems clear that his mind is set on signing with a team that is more championship-ready than the Heat are at this moment.
Still, with a young and talented core, the Heat are perhaps one big acquisition away from once again competing deep into the playoffs. Wade’s words point to him heading to a team like the Cavaliers if he is granted a buyout, but it’s possible that Miami could become a much more attractive landing spot for Wade the following season where he could try and compete for a final ring before riding off into the South Florida sunset.
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