The Cavaliers send Dwyane Wade back to the Miami Heat
By Ian Levy
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the process of dramatically remaking their roster. The latest move has Dwyane Wade heading back to the Miami Heat.
Everything is changing in Cleveland today. The Cavaliers had already pulled off two mega-trades. The first sent Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and a pick to the Lakers for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. The second, a massive three-team deal, netted them Rodney Hood and George Hill. With a backcourt suddenly stacked with young and athletic players, Dwyane Wade likely would have been squeezed for minutes. Apparently he had already seen the writing on the wall.
The Cavs coaching staff was considering reducing Dwyane Wade's playing time and he's been agitating for a return "home" to Miami in the future, sources said. Both fixed.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) February 8, 2018
A solution that makes everyone happy. Cleveland gets space. The Heat got to brush up on their “culture” and finish the legacy of one of the greatest players in NBA history. The cost for the Cavaliers sounds like it might be small enough as to be inconsequential.
Miami will send a heavily protected second-round pick to Cleveland for Wade, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
This is an especially interesting move considering the close personal relationship between Wade and LeBron James. The two spent four years together with the Miami Heat and Wade joined the Cavaliers this summer as a free agent to hopefully help LeBron win one more title. One has to assume that the two had talked in depth about this move and that everyone was on board.
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Wade played 13 seasons for the Heat, winning three titles and a Finals MVP Award in 2006. He averaged 23.7 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game with the team. Wade is still the franchise’s all-time leader in games, minutes, points, steals and assists.
The Heat are currently 29-26 and holding the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference. Their guard rotation is crowded with solid players like Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson and Wayne Ellington. Still it seems clear there will be room for Wade to contribute to the team as they push for the playoffs this season.