Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade returning for a ‘farewell’ season in 2018-19

Dwyane Wade has announced that he will be playing one, final season with the Miami Heat before retiring from the NBA

When you think Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade is the first name that comes to mind. As it should be. Even though he left a few years ago to return “home” and play one season with the Chicago Bulls, and then another half season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Wade is now back where he always belonged.

And now, as he has announced, he’s giving it one, final season. The 2018-19 NBA season will be Dwyane Wade’s farewell year with the Heat.

Wade is well accompanied. During his 15, soon to be 16, years in the NBA, Wade has won three NBA Championships and has won one NBA Finals MVP. He’s one of the most accomplished athletes in the city of Miami, and will (likely) one day have a statue in front of AmericanAirlines Arena.

As for this season, well there isn’t much for the Heat to play for. With the team essentially living in NBA purgatory, this season will all be about Wade’s farewell season. Miami won’t be playing for much this season, and has a bunch of really good, but not great, players but this season now takes a pivot.

With Wade acknowledging that this will be his final season in the NBA, Miami now has a selling point for the season.

And the fact that he’s playing his final season in Miami, and not for a team like Los Angeles or Golden State, is a huge win for the city and his legacy.

The Miami Heat will be a must-watch every time they’re in town now. An NBA legend is about to call it quits, and he should get all the recognition he deserves. He helped change and frame the game that we love now. He also helped change the entire Miami Heat franchise.

For the Heat, 2018-19 will not be about making a run to the NBA Finals. It’s about Wade’s farewell tour. Just like it should be.