NBA Rumors: With Dwyane Wade reportedly prepared to test the free agent market, here’s why the Knicks, Clippers and Celtics should pursue him
Let’s just get this out of the way now. There’s no way that Dwyane Wade can sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Short of Dan Gilbert trading away one of his max contracts – Kevin Love or Tristan Thompson – the Cavs simply don’t have the money to afford D-Wade.
Even though a story of LeBron James now helping Wade get a title in Cleveland would be Hollywood gold, it’s not happening.
With that out of the way, there are a few teams that can realistically offer Wade what he could be looking for at this point of his career. Piggybacking off what we’ve been hearing recently from his interviews, Wade wants to be valued (at the right price) and a shot at potentially winning again. At the very least, he wants a chance.
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After eliminating the teams that can’t offer him that, I’ve come down to the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. Maybe the San Antonio Spurs, but I highly doubt they would move a couple of contracts for a couple years of Wade. So let’s just assume that’s out of the picture too.
Each of these teams could probably pay Wade $15 million or more per year and give him a chance at making, and messing around a bit, in the playoffs.
If the reports that Wade is really upset with Heat management about the lack of prioritizing him, these should be his options. Whether these reports are actually true or not – or if his agent is simply doing his job – remains to be seen.
My guess is that the truth is somewhere in the middle. It’s really early. After all, if the Heat swing and miss on Kevin Durant, my guess is that he’ll get the contract that he seeks. After everything that the Miami Heat and Wade have been through, it would be sad to see it end over a few million dollars.
The Clippers give him a shot to end his career with his friend Chris Paul and the potential to add another championship – depending if you consider the Clippers as a championship contender.
With the Knicks, Wade would be able to play with Carmelo Anthony (another of his buddies) and the spotlight that he’s always played under throughout the majority of his career. Plus, if the Knicks remain healthy, they COULD be good. Could.
Boston is a team that desperately needed a star in the playoffs. Wade could fill that void for Boston. Plus, he wouldn’t have to do much heavy lifting there, either.
must read: Predicting Where The Top 30 Free Agents Will Land
I still find it hard to believe that Dwyane Wade won’t be in a Miami Heat uniform at the start of next season, but there are options for him this summer. That doesn’t mean he has to take them.