Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical has reported that former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is set to sign with the Chicago Bulls.
Sources on @TheVertical: Three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade has informed the Miami Heat that he's accepted the Bulls offer.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2016
Rumors swirled around Wade on whether he would come back to the Heat, opting to joining former team mate LeBron James in Cleveland. That wasn’t the case as his final decision came down to the Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, and Chicago Bulls!
Both parties showed mutual interest on finalizing deal to bring Wade back to his hometown. Chicago has been hard at work clearing up cap space for the three-time NBA champion, making guard Jose Calderon and forward Mike Dunleavy expendable. Calderon was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers, while Dunleavy will join the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Dwyane has agreed on a two year, $47.5M deal with a player option on the second year. It’s interesting to note that no team pushed for three year deal for the NBA All Star. Whether this way due to player or team needs, it has not been confirmed.
Once the deal is finalized, Wade will be joining a core of NBA All Star Jimmy Butler and current signee Rajon Rondo. On paper, these three add up to be the best defensive back court in the Eastern Conference.
With the Bulls letting go of their former cornerstones in Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah to the New York Knicks, fans believed this could be a rebuilding phase. Yet with these current signings, Chicago is poised now more than ever to be the one of the top teams in the East.
Wade wrote a letter to the city of Miami expressing his love and appreciation for his 13 years with the Heat:
Dear Miami,
This has been an extremely emotional and tough decision to come to. After 13 years, I have decided to embark on a new journey with the Chicago Bulls. This was not an easy decision, but I feel I have made the right choice for myself and my family.
I started my NBA career with the Miami Heat in 2003 and it has been an honor to have played with them and help build a winning franchise with three NBA championships. I look back with pride and amazement at all we have accomplished together. I want to express my gratitude to the Arison family, Pat Riley, Coach Erik Spoelstra, the coaching staff, and the entire Miami Heat organization.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the Miami community and especially #HEATNATION for all of their love and support over the years. It has been truly incredible. I am deeply moved and appreciative of the positive messages from my fans expressing that they want what’s best for me and I know they will support my decision. The memories including championship parades and five conference titles are incredible moments we have shared that will always remain close to my heart as I begin the next chapter of my life.
Growing up in Robbins, Ill., I never dreamed that an NBA career could have even been possible and that one day I would wear a Chicago Bulls jersey. Watching the Bulls growing up inspired me at an early age to pursue my dream of becoming a basketball player. My most treasured memories were watching my dad play basketball on the courts of Fermi Elementary School and developing my game at the Blue Island Recreation Center. I have never forgotten where I came from and I am thankful to have an opportunity to play for the team that first fueled my love of the game. Many of my family members still live in Chicago and I am excited to return home to a city very close to my heart.
I look forward to returning to my roots and to what lies ahead.
Much Love and Respect,
D. Wade
Check out Dwyane Wade’s top plays of the 2015 – 2016 season:
