Recent reports are out that NBA superstar Dwyane Wade has chosen to leave the Miami Heat and join the Chicago Bulls this summer. However, the Bulls must clear salary cap space for them to afford to sign the Chicago native.
SB Nation reported, citing Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, that the 34-year-old, 12-time NBA All-Star "has informed the Bulls he plans to sign a deal with them" and that the "the deal is confirmed" according to NBA.com's David Aldridge.
Wade, who had suited up for the Heat throughout his entire 13-year career so far, had decided to leave his adopted home of Miami to return to his real home of Chicago after contract disputes with the former were left unresolved.
It all began when Pat Riley and company agreed to sign free agent center Hassan Whiteside to a four-year, $98 million deal that will earn the big man an average of more than $24 million a year while at the same time offering Wade a mere $10 million annual salary.
The three-time NBA champion shooting guard was apparently not satisfied with the offer and demanded a two-year, $50 million contract. Riley upped the offer to a two-year, $40 million deal, which was still not enough, and so Wade began talking with several teams, such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets, to find out if they would be ready to provide his demands.
Wade then initially scheduled a meeting with the Bulls on Wednesday but it was cancelled due to flight delays. The 2006 NBA Finals MVP said, though, he "does not feel the need to meet with the Bulls face to face before deciding" and so he informed the team that he will join them this summer, as per Sports Illustrated.
However, before Chicago can officially sign Wade, the team has to dump some of their salaries to make way for the two-time All-NBA First Teamer's reported contract of "$47.5 million over two years" that includes a player option after the first year.
The Bulls are said to be in the process of trading Jose Calderon to the Los Angeles Lakers or Brooklyn Nets while Mike Dunleavy is set to be sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers or Bucks to clear salary cap space.