Dwyane Wade was made for this iteration of the OKC Thunder

Although Dwyane Wade is under contract for another season with the Chicago Bulls rumors of a buyout persist. Contending teams take precedence on the stars priority list, but before he jumps to rejoin a former teammate the star should consider Wade was made for this OKC Thunder squad.

David Aldridge of NBA TV interviewed Dwayne Wade who is in Springfield Massachusetts attending the NBA Hall of Fame events. At the top of NBA fans (and teams) minds is whether Wade’s contract will be bought out or if he’ll return to the windy city. The interview gave little insight into the situation other than not much interaction is occurring between the star and his team.

The Interview:

The following is condensed excepts from the Aldridge – Wade interview:

Aldridge:Who are you going to be playing for in November?

Wade: You know I’m under contract with the Bulls right now and that’s what I’m preparing for. The future, I don’t worry about it too much. You got other people who do that. For me, my job is to prepare and be the best Dwayne Wade at the age of 35 that I can be.

Aldridge: What’s your preference?

Wade: First of all, everyone wants to compete (for a title). It’s no secret, At the end of my career, that is one thing I would love to do. I’m not in a position right now to do that. So, I can’t talk about what that preference is.

Aldridge: There’s been a lot of talk about buy-outs and things like that. Is that something that is going on, or that you want to do right now?

Wade: What’s funny, is I haven’t said anything. And there’s a reason for that. I’m not about the going back and forth. A lot of people make it that way, but I’m not about going back and forth. When the time is right for me and the Chicago Bulls organization to sit down and talk about the future. we will do that. The timing hasn’t been right to this point, but I’ll be in Chicago soon enough. Hopefully, we get an opportunity to sit down to talk about the future and direction and go from there. I’m 35 years old, I’m a grown man. I can definitely sit across the room from you and listen to your truth, and go from there.

Takeaways from interview:

First , kudos to D Wade for being a star who understands tampering and didn’t bite on that opportunity from Aldridge to plant seeds.

The overriding takeaway was, there is a disconnect between the player and the franchise. This isn’t news given how Jimmy Butler was treated upon his exit. Nor was it surprising Wade opted into his final contract year. After succumbing to take less in each of his contract negotiations with the Big 3 in Miami, Wade was due at least one contract repayment from somewhere. The crazy trivia answer you may one day find use for is Dwyane Wade was never the highest paid player on the Miami Heat – never!

Moving forward, the Chicago Bulls are a team who is expected to plummet in the East this season, despite it being a less competitive conference. Gone is the Bulls cornerstone star Jimmy Butler and core contributors like Taj Gibson. Doug McDermott who the Bulls made big shifts to acquire is now on the OKC Thunder. Most pundits believe the team won’t just regress, but they’ll vie for the basement position in the league as they chase the top lottery pick. In other words, pull out your thesaurus and search for Chicago’s “process’ equivalent.

Reading between the lines:

That fact alone seems to point to a redundancy of keeping Wade on the Bulls. Many assume a buy-out will occur given the Bulls mandate. The question is how much the notoriously spend thrift organization will be willing to eat (or use the stretch provision for) in a buy-out. Or if they will stubbornly cling to refusing that direction.

If Wade and the Bulls do come to a mutually satisfying agreement the next question becomes which teams would enter the conversation. Wade himself made it clear in his interview with Aldridge he wants to compete for a title.

Logical teams Wade would consider:

Everyone assumes the most logical landing spot would be a one year minimum deal with his former teammate and fellow banana boat buddy LeBron in Cleveland. Don’t get me started on why LeBron’s Cavs continually get afforded these types of economical contracts yearly. Rather, let’s consider some options for Wade.

Miami is Dwyane Wade:

A reasonable assumption would be enough time has passed since Wade left Miami for Pat Riley and Wade to have put aside their last contract negotiation guffaw. But, will Wade envision Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside and the ancillary roster as an ample fit for his talents still.

TimberPups taking next step with buddy Butler:

Certainly, his recent teammates departure to Minnesota may appeal to him. Butler has been vocal about how solid the pair’s relationship is. This past summer the duo were witnessed spending time at Paris Fashion Week, so the buddy bond off the court exists.

The issue with Minnesota is the lack of floor spacing in terms of perimeter scoring. Plus with Wiggins and Butler already filling the majority of wing minutes and Jamal Crawford coming off the bench this feels like an improper use of Wade’s talents.

Cavaliers East contenders:

Other potential clubs vying to become contenders are either heavy at the guard position, don’t seem like a proper fit or are illogical for Wade to join. Of those the Celtics, Raptors and Wizards are all solid in the backcourt.

Warriors Western contenders:

In the west the Rockets and Nuggets are also wing dominant and the Spurs seems like an illogical fit.

For Sam Presti’s consideration :

This brings me to the OKC Thunder, who could utilize Wade in a manner most of his other suitors won’t consider. First of all, let’s recall the same Paris trip Wade was at with Butler also included the reigning MVP who was pictured at the same events. Furthermore, George is extremely familiar with Wade having played him copious times when the Pacers were the top contenders to the Heat.

The questions topping a pursuit of Wade would be:

With Andre Roberson cemented as the starting shooting guard where precisely would Wade fit on the OKC Thunder?
Moreover, would Wade consider a reserve role for a contender?
And, should the OKC Thunder aggressively pursue Wade to fulfill that roster position?

If I’m Sam Presti, I’m keeping a keen eye on what happens with Wade in Chicago with this view in mind. Then I’m selling Wade how he could be the one piece which would push the OKC Thunder over the top. Wade isn’t immune to playing defense, but at age 35 he’s not pining for nightly top defensive assignments. Conversely, this is a player who averaged 29.9 minutes over 60 games last season while producing 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Notably, Wades points, assists and steals would have ranked second best on last years Thunder squad behind only Westbrook.

OKC offers perfect fit:

Bringing Wade off the bench in a role similar to how the Spurs utilize Manu Ginobili would be ideal. Coach Billy Donovan could keep his minutes down to preserve his health and Roberson would have the top defensive assignment and start. But, Wade would offer another ball handler to pair with Raymond Felton and a proven scoring option.

Consider for a moment what his presence would do to Donovan’s options. At any given time two of Westbrook, George and Wade could be on the floor with Adams, Kanter or Patterson. Those six back and front court players alone offer offensive and defensive spectrum options.

Depending on game situations Donovan could utilize Roberson more or opt for Wade to increase offense. And to reiterate, Wade played the almost a decade (8 years) under Spoelstra’s defensive system.

Assuming Wade is bought out, Presti should be planting the seed with Wade that he could have the equivalent effect Andre Iguodala does for the Warriors in Golden State or Ginobili for the Spurs.

And, if Wade wants a bigger role there’s no reason why Roberson and George both can’t shift up a spot. Besides, Patterson has always excelled in coming off the bench. Therefore utilizing a small ball lineup with either Patterson or Adams at the center also works.

Why Cavaliers and LeBron aren’t Wade’s best option:

Joining the Cavaliers might put him with a bestie, but would it offer the same opportunity? With the addition of Isaiah Thomas the Cavaliers have maintained scoring punch, but even with the loss of the less than defensively stellar Irving have regressed defensively overall, particularly in the backcourt. So, wouldn’t Wade’s role in Cleveland be to pick up the slack of Thomas defensively and once more take a back seat to the stars offensively?

And, does Wade want to be seen as the guy who doesn’t mind playing the role Irving desperately wanted to abandon? That is to say, the player who is comfortable being in LeBron’s shadow. Unquestionably, joining the Cavs will be be seen as Wade needing LeBron and not minding being that shadow guy.

Remember, Wade was the star who had the single ring when the original Big 3 merged. Further, I’ve long lamented it was Wade who was true leader on that Heat squad. Moreover, Wade willingly adapted, taking the less obvious role on the squad so James could remain the alpha.

The one point which could push OKC to the forefront:

More from Thunderous Intentions

Perhaps most importantly, Wade recalls what it felt like to be hungry. Memories of joining forces with Shaquille O’Neal brought his first title, partnering with James and Bosh snagged his second and third titles.

Therefore, this fact can’t be under valued. Presti, should be selling Wade on how hungry Paul George and Russell Westbrook are to win. He should drive home how important Wade’s role would be within the franchise and point to why OKC more than any other squad are best suited to offer him an ideal role where his contributions will be vital, but beneficial to both star and franchise.

And, if all else fails, Presti should ask Wade how satisfying it would be for him to join the squad with the best shot of usurping the Golden State Warriors bid to repeat. Above all, Wade is a competitor – and in this scribe’s opinion is one of the very few NBA stars with the same competitive ilk of Westbrook.

It may all be conjecture as Chicago may elect to ride the wave, but Sam Presti needs to keep an active eye on the situation.

Because, more than any other squad the fit here with the revamped roster has me thinking – Wade was made for OKC, 2017-18.

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