Dwyane Wade, the $24 million man
The question that everyone wants the answer to – will Dwyane Wade exercise his option with the Chicago Bulls for the 2017-18 season?
This is kind of a big deal. Not because he struggles to stay healthy, can’t help space the floor, doesn’t improve ball movement, but because his option is for $23,800,000. I feel like the zeros really give the healthy sum that’s on the table some extra pop.
Wade: "Jimmy is, you know, a huge component in me being here. You know, what’s his future like? But at end of the day it is a me decision."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 29, 2017
There were a lot of great quotes pulled by a bevy of reporters who were present for exit interviews. This one was the big payoff from Wade, who had a lot of boring, expected quotes.
The way I’m choosing to read his quote is my bizarre interpretation only. He’s saying that the only good player Chicago has is Jimmy Butler. He’s only here because of Butler. He’s definitely not sticking around if Butler isn’t here. He loves to make a lot of money, but he would rather not make all of that money if the best player on the roster is Paul Zipser. But of course, that’s where the “me decision” comes into play. The “me” in this situation says that $23.8 million is nothing to walk away from.
Unless Jimmy is gone, this quote seems to indicate that Wade plans to ride out his paychecks at the United Center.