Fansided

Dwyane Wade wants it to end where it all began

By Cody Rivera

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: Dwayne Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: Dwayne Wade #3 of the Miami Heat looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dwyane Wade has no desire to play for any team other than the team with which he’s most associated.

Dwyane Wade hasn’t really tried to keep it a secret that his NBA career will most likely be coming to an end sooner rather than later. And seeing how Wade has yet to announce whether or not he will return to the league in 2018-19 for his 16th season, it’s possible that it may have ended already.

But it’s not a done deal yet. Wade did say that if he does continue to play basketball, there is only one team that he would play for: the Miami Heat. Wade reportedly had an offer to play in China on a three-year deal, according to ESPN.com, but he had no interest.

“If I’m playing the game of basketball this year, it’ll be in a Miami uniform,” Wade said at the Jr. NBA World Championships, as reported by Tim Reynolds.

Sure, part of that mindset is probably due to the fact that the 36-year-old Wade finished last season with the Heat, and this late in his career, has no desire go through the hassle of moving to a new team and a new city. But a lot of it probably also has to do with sentimental reasons. Dwyane Wade, the basketball player, is synonymous with the city of Miami and its beloved NBA team.

Of his 15 seasons in the league, 13.5 of those have been with the Heat. Wade was selected fifth overall by Miami in the 2003 NBA Draft, where his potential to become a superstar in the league was overshadowed by fellow draft picks LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, both selected ahead of Wade.

He played for the Heat from 2003 through 2016, winning three NBA championships and being named Finals MVP in 2006. Late in his career, Wade signed with the Chicago Bulls in 2016 as part of a dream to play for his hometown team. When things didn’t work out in Chicago after a season, Wade then signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in order to play with former teammate James once again. After a rough start to the 2017-18 season, Wade was traded back to the Heat.

Next. The depth of the 2018-19 Celtics will be staggering. dark

Even during Wade’s brief departure from Miami, it’s pretty clear that his heart never truly left. If he has any years left in his Hall of Fame career, there’s no better place for him to spend them than with the team that made him who he is.

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