Other than superstar Kevin Durant deciding to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to join Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors, one of the biggest surprise moves during the NBA offseason was Dwyane Wade choosing to part ways with the Miami Heat. Wade went home to team up with Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo on the Chicago Bulls in a move that left many wondering if the new star trio would form another heavyweight in the Eastern Conference.
Unfortunately for Wade and company, the new-look Bulls have struggled this season. Chicago is barely in the playoff hunt in the East at this point in the season with a .500 record of 23-23. Although a playoff berth is realistic for the Bulls, a first-round exit is expected as they simply don’t have the talent to compete with the best of the best in the East.
Wade, who signed a two-year deal with an option to opt out this summer, seems to be considering moving on once again when given the opportunity in July. Wade has admitted there’s a chance he’ll opt out in hopes of playing for a contender, via Nick Friedell of ESPN:
“I wouldn’t lie to you and say no,” Wade said. “Of course. I can’t play this game forever. I just turned 35 and I have a number in my head how long I want to play. At the end of the day you want to be in a situation where it’s a competitor situation, whatever the case may be. It’s tough in this league as well because a lot of that also depends on how much money you’re willing to make. It depends on what city you’re willing to be in. So it’s a lot of variables to that, but no question about it, what happens throughout this year, as I go into my summer, I’ll definitely take a look at it. I take my career seriously and where I am and where I want to be. And I will do the same thing this summer.”
At 35, Wade is currently averaging 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 42.3 percent from the floor and 32.1 from beyond the arc. Decent numbers for an aging player that changed teams for the first time in his career while also taking a backseat to Butler in Chicago.
Along with Wade potentially leaving Chicago this summer, the Bulls are rumored to be active heading toward the NBA trade deadline. Nikola Mirotic and Rondo are reportedly on the trading block.
Even Butler has been mentioned in trade rumors over the past few years with the up-and-comers being linked to teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, but nothing has come to fruition, especially after Derrick Rose was dealt to the New York Knicks.