Miami Heat: China Is The Only Real Threat To Steal Dwyane Wade
With rumors swirling that Dwyane Wade could opt-out this summer and altogether leave the Miami Heat, there’s only one real possibility that should scare Heat fans
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Dwyane Wade spurning the Miami Heat after contract discussions hit an impasse this summer to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, rejoining LeBron James, would be a great story (unless you live in South Florida or have a rooting interest in the Miami Heat).
It’s also won’t happen.
Short of LeBron James paying Dwyane Wade out of his pocket, because there’s no way the Cavs would be able to afford him on the open market, there’s no way that he’s going to sign with in CLEVELAND for less money. Or anywhere else for that matter.
Not Cleveland. Not Dallas. Not New York. Not Los Angeles.
Wade is most valuable to the Miami Heat in the NBA. There’s no team on the open market that would be willing to offer Wade more than what Pat Riley is going to put together, despite what is being said right now.
Although, there’s one place — not in the NBA — that should scare the living hell out of Miami Heat fans.
China.
And it’s the only logical destination that Wade could — and very well may — choose over the Miami Heat. For one, they can pay Wade all the money he wants. And, two, if Wade really wants to become a global icon, there’s really no better place to do that than in China.
He has a lucrative shoe deal with the Chinese brand Li Ning and has reportedly great and growing relationships over there. But not only would this be a smart business move, but it also wouldn’t harm his public perception here in the States.
Wade could go out as a “hero” and as a “heat lyfer,” rather than signing with another NBA team, only to hurt his legacy forever in Miami.
If Wade were to sign with another NBA team, the city of Miami would never forgive him. If nothing else, it would force South Floridians to chose sides, and odds are that most would side with the organization. If he were to finish his career in China, for the most part, his hero status in South Florida wouldn’t take a hit.
In essence, China is a real contender when you think about the potential places Wade could land this summer, if it’s not in a Miami Heat uniform. In fact, you could go all the way to say that they’re the leader in the clubhouse. Or at least should be.
If what everything that is coming out of Wade’s camp is true, and that the Miami Heat aren’t interested in paying Wade top dollar, look no further than China as his next move.
That doesn’t mean it should be, though.
Sure, Wade’s production has decreased over the last handful of seasons, and he’s been injured a lot. But despite all that, he’s still one of the better shooting guards in the NBA when he is on a basketball court.
| Season | G | MP | FG% | eFG% | TRB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-04 | 61 | 34.9 | .465 | .475 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 16.2 |
| 2004-05 ★ | 77 | 38.6 | .478 | .483 | 5.2 | 6.8 | 24.1 |
| 2005-06 ★ | 75 | 38.6 | .495 | .499 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 27.2 |
| 2006-07 ★ | 51 | 37.9 | .491 | .502 | 4.7 | 7.5 | 27.4 |
| 2007-08 ★ | 51 | 38.3 | .469 | .480 | 4.2 | 6.9 | 24.6 |
| 2008-09 ★ | 79 | 38.6 | .491 | .516 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 30.2 |
| 2009-10 ★ | 77 | 36.3 | .476 | .500 | 4.8 | 6.5 | 26.6 |
| 2010-11 ★ | 76 | 37.1 | .500 | .523 | 6.4 | 4.6 | 25.5 |
| 2011-12 ★ | 49 | 33.2 | .497 | .506 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 22.1 |
| 2012-13 ★ | 69 | 34.7 | .521 | .528 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 21.2 |
| 2013-14 ★ | 54 | 32.9 | .545 | .551 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 19.0 |
| 2014-15 ★ | 62 | 31.8 | .470 | .483 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 21.5 |
| Career | 781 | 36.2 | .490 | .504 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 24.1 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/2/2015.
What many people forget when exaggerating Dwyane Wade’s demise is the fact that he’s only 33 years old. He isn’t in the prime of his career anymore, but he also isn’t a hobbling NBA corpse. Wade averaged 21.5 points, five rebounds and six assists last season. To put those numbers into perspective, only James Harden and Klay Thompson put up better numbers last season from the shooting guard position.
While China is a legitimate threat to steal Wade away from Miami and the NBA altogether this summer, more than anything, Wade will probably use this idea as leverage. As he should be doing.
Dwyane Wade should be in a Miami Heat uniform on opening night. That’s what should happen, after all the shenanigans this summer.
Just don’t be surprised if he’s playing for the Beijing Ducks instead.