Dwyane Wade (Photo : Stringer/Vaughn Ridley)
The Miami Heat has been in and out of NBA trade rumors but now they have a familiar yet surprising name involved.
The Chicago Bulls turmoil has resulted in their core players being placed on the trading block and even their hometown hero has been mentioned, as covered in a previous report.
As every scenario is being explored, a possible return to Miami came up. The Heat has actually been riding on a rare win streak and a capable leader like Wade could be just what the doctor ordered for them.
One of the most reliable sources for Miami Heat buzz, Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel, stated that despite the unceremonious exit that Wade had from Miami, the bridges are not burned.
"Should Wade, however, be willing to take that $23.8 million over two seasons from the Heat, that might be another story (because for as ugly as it initially stood between Riley and Wade, it never, ever got as contentious as the dumpster fire this past week in Chicago).
The truth and reality would have been different in Miami and still can. Leadership comes out of respect. Respect for Dwyane Wade resides at 601 Biscayne. Always has. Always will. And can again."
Is this an admission that letting Dwyane Wade walk was a miscalculation on Pat Riley's part? The NBA's Godfather may have called one bluff too many. He was already looking ahead, grooming the team for a free agent run that would have included Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and even Steph Curry among elite prospects.
Westbrook was taken out of that free agent class when he signed an extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Steph Curry already indicated that he's not leaving. Now, even Zach Lowe of ESPN has stated that the team is ready to for an overhaul since they don't really have a franchise player.
"Up and down the roster, literally every player," said Lowe in his podcast h/t Oregon Live). "Literally no one is untouchable, not even Hassan Whiteside, by a long shot."
Not to say that the Heat are outright shopping Whiteside (or Dragic) but it's clear that Riley does not see them as the franchise cornerstones. This is why the possibility of Wade returning actually holds some ground.
Will the Heat trade any of the two players for Wade? That's unlikely but Wade does have a player's option. It would be tricky for the Heat now that they don't have the Bird Rights. That's something they have to figure out, but the point is, Wade returning to the Heat should not be brushed aside that quickly.
