Just when it looked like the wheeling and dealing of a wild NBA offseason was coming to an end, two significant moves took place last weekend that will likely affect contenders in both conferences.
First there was Carmelo Anthony signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, where he will join All-Star’s Paul George and Russell Westbrook in what is sure to be an interesting experiment. Two days later, Dwyane Wade became a free agent after reaching a buyout agreement with the Chicago Bulls, and is now likely to reunite with former teammate LeBron James in Cleveland, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Cleveland’s clear frontrunner with LeBron James, but Wade may take a little time to decide, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/onXPOeaYfG
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 25, 2017
“I’m going to take tonight and some of tomorrow and speak to the teams or players that are on my list and go from there,” Wade told ESPN. “My decision is a pure basketball decision, and I’ll make the one that fits me best at this point in my career and with what I feel I have to offer a team that needs what I have to offer.”
Wade, 35, has reportedly been working out with his close friend James this offseason, and would be a welcome addition to a Cavs team that recently traded away All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, who could be out for a significant portion of the season with a hip injury. In addition to the Cavs, the Spurs, Heat and Thunder are also considered frontrunners to sign Wade according to Wojnarowski.
How much value Wade, a surefire Hall of Famer, has at this point in his career is up for debate. Wade averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 60 games last season, but finished 33rd in real-plus minus amongst NBA shooting guards. Regardless, Wade would likely be seen as an upgrade over Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, the two players most likely to be the Cavs starting 2 should Wade sign elsewhere.
(Via ESPN)
