According to a report from Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com’s Wine and Gold Talk Podcast, Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade is expected by LeBron James and his camp to be bought out and then sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers at some point.
The Jimmy Butler trade started an instant rebuild for the Chicago Bulls, which is something that Dwyane Wade really has no business being a part of as his career comes to a close.
Wade, who will turn 36 years old in January, has a player option for $23.8 million for this upcoming season and at least to start out the campaign, he’ll remain with the Bulls. But, that could change with a potential buyout from the Bulls front office.
After reports came flying in about the Bulls and Wade considering an agreement to a buyout where Wade would get some cash and a fresh start elsewhere, it was a note from Cleveland.com‘s Joe Vardon that got the rumor mill going once more with a thought on Wade’s future.
"“As of right now, people close to [LeBron] James are fairly confident that, at some point this year, Dwyane Wade is going to end up on the Cavs.”"
It’s no surprise if this plan comes to fruition. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were teammates on those title-winning Miami Heat rosters from 2010-14 and remain great friends off the court to this very day.
In Dan Feldman’s report over at NBC Sports, he mentioned that Vardon noted five key names during the podcast that could be considered sources of knowledge in LeBron James’ inner circle: LeBron himself, LeBron’s agent Rich Paul, one of James’ long-time friends and business partners Maverick Carter, his wife Savannah James and James’ publicist Adam Mendelsohn.
This could be everything. This could be nothing. James and Wade are good friends and LeBron rules the roost in Cleveland at least for one more season with a player option for the 2018-19 summer that he’ll likely decline.
Wade doesn’t get the Cavaliers any closer to beating the mighty Golden State Warriors, but it could convince New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony to waive his no-trade clause to try and unite the Banana Boat boys.
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For now, Wade is still with the Bulls, but for how much longer? The front office knows that Wade doesn’t really want to be a factor in a rebuilding team. If they can come to terms on a buyout at some point, this Wade-to-Cleveland chatter could get much louder.