Miami awaits Wade’s return
Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade has reiterated his desire to continue wearing his old team’s uniform for his 16th NBA season.
The Miami Herald reported, however, that should he decide so, Wade needs to be assured of having an agreed-upon role with the team before deciding to play in 2018-19.
“Being comfortable with his role is critical” (when it comes to Wade’s ultimate decision on his future), Greg Cole wrote. “I have not been told Wade would demand to start. “But does he see himself good for more than 25 minutes a game?”
Cole also reported that Wade told him recently that he’s interested on playing a mentor’s role for the club’s many young guys. “But he also wants to play. A significant addendum is needed.”
Dwyane Wade AFP PHOTO
Wade returned to the Heat at the trade deadline last season after spending the initial part of the 2017-18 campaign with the Cleveland alongside bosom pal LeBron James.
In 21 games in his return to South Beach, Wade played a reserve role, contributing 12.0 points 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists while averaging 22.2 minutes per game. Wade served in the same capacity in the Heat’s five games in the postseason.
As Cote notes in his report, though, returning to that role is by no means a dealbreaker. Although Wade unsurprisingly still wants to play meaningful minutes, regardless of nature.
The Heat currently have a roster spot reserved for Wade should he decide to return on a one-year, $5.3-million deal, the team’s luxury-tax exception. It seems that if the Heat and Wade can come to terms on a mutually acceptable, predetermined role, the franchise icon will be suiting up for the team next season.
In another development, the Miami franchise may be willing to trade Goran Dragic, but only if they can get a first-round pick and some financial flexibility for next summer.
Writer Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel reported that Dragic’s name was floated last week as a possible target for the Suns, who are without a veteran point guard after dealing Brandon Knight to the Rockets.
Dragic is the only established point guard on the Heat roster, but Winderman noted that Miami has a logjam in the backcourt, needing to find time for Dion Waiters, Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, Wayne Ellington, Rodney McGruder and possibly Wade.
The Heat, who are over the projected luxury tax for this season with nearly $127 million in guaranteed salary, could also benefit financially from unloading Dragic, who will make more than $18.1 million this year and has a $19.2-million player option for 2019/20.
Kelly Olynyk, meanwhile, has committed to play a pair of World Cup qualifying games this month for the Canadian national team. Olynyk is among several NBA players on the roster for Canada, which hopes to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2010.
Olynyk’s games are set for Wednesday and September 17, so they won’t interfere with Miami’s training camp.
Former Heat big man Chris Bosh continues to express his desire to return to the NBA. The Georgia Tech alum, who hasn’t played since doctors discovered a recurrence of blood clots in 2016, said in an interview with ramblinwreck.com that he hopes to work toward a comeback this season.
Because Bosh left the Heat over a medical issue and the final two years of his contract were removed from Miami’s cap, he is not permitted to rejoin the team.
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