Shortly after securing a buyout from his hometown Chicago Bulls, three-time NBA champion Dwayne Wade is set for a reunion with LeBron James in Cleveland.
Wade, who has yet to officially clear waivers, has agreed to sign the NBA veteran minimum for $2.3 million to join Cleveland, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. With Wade officially coming to The Land, Cleveland will have had one of the quietest—and most successful—off seasons in the entire league.
While they have lost Kyrie Irving to the rival Boston Celtics, Cleveland has gotten:
PG Isaiah Thomas
SF Jae Crowder
PG Derrick Rose
C/F Ante Zizic
SF Jeff Green
PG Jose Caulderon
Brooklyn’s 2018 first-round pick via Boston
Miami’s 2020 second-round pick via Boston
and SG Dwayne Wade
That’s quite a haul for an injury-prone, over-dribbling, iso-playing hero-ball playing point guard in Irving.
While NBA championships aren’t won in the offseason—except for Golden State signing Kevin Durant—Cleveland has quietly improved it’s chances of wining their second NBA title in four years.
Yes, Thomas’ hip is still far from perfect, Rose’s knee’s are always a concern, but the additions of Crowder and Green on the wing are a much-needed upgrade if they are to likely see their Bay City rivals for a fourth straight year in the NBA Finals.
Yes, Thomas is not Irving in terms of raw scoring output, but Thomas is actually a upgrade over Irving in the aspect of playing a more team-oriented style of basketball, over Irving, who’d likely dribble valuable possessions away.
Other than the Warriors, but Cleveland quietly signed a former NBA MVP in Rose, that everyone is overlooking and are in the process of adding a three-time champion and Finals MVP in Wade.
The on-court chemistry that Wade and James have is undeniable, as it’ll reignite the old Heat spark from their days down in South Beach. How much Wade has in the tank is anyone’s guess, but don’t be shocked to see a motivated and driven Wade ready to silence his doubters, in what may likely be James’ swan song in Cleveland.
Fully healthy and likely motivated to go out in style, look for Wade to provide the cheery on top for the Cavaliers quietly successful off-season, and possibly next spring as well.