NBA: 7 Big Takeaways From The 2016 Offseason

July 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; USA guard Kevin Durant (5) is congratulated by forward Draymond Green (14) behind guard Klay Thompson (11) against China in the first quarter during an exhibition basketball game at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) takes a breather during the fourth quarter in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won in overtime 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Loyalty is just a PR spin

As much as we hear that word being thrown around in professional sports, it doesn’t exist. At least not on behalf of the organization. And we saw plenty examples of that this offseason, perhaps none bigger than the situation that transpired between Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.

On one hand, Wade thought he wasn’t being prioritized this summer. And the Heat thought they were doing enough, offering Wade a little more than a $20 million contract to return. In the end, Wade ended up signing with the Chicago Bulls.

Loyalty, gone. Heat lifer, gone.

If Wade could leave the Heat, then I think it’s pretty evident that loyalty is nothing more than a marketing and public relations spin. And that’s OK. Let’s just not throw it around like it’s not.

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