Dwyane Wade To Sign With Bulls
(CBS) The Bulls have made a big and unexpected splash in free agency.
After spending his entire 13-year career with the Miami Heat, shooting guard Dwyane Wade has informed the Bulls he will come back to his hometown of Chicago on a two-year, $47.5-million deal, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
The Bulls have agreed to trade Mike Dunleavy to the Cavaliers and Jose Calderon to the Lakers in an effort to clear cap sapce for Wade, according to Wojnarowski. The signing can't become official until the league's moratorium ends Thursday.
Wade's move was made possible when his negotiations fell apart with the Heat, who upset him with what he viewed as an initial lowball offer. On his previous three contracts while he was a star player, Wade took less than maximum money in an effort to help Miami stock its roster with more talent.
The 34-year-old Wade doesn't fit Bulls general manager Gar Forman's stated desire to get "younger and more athletic," but Wade was a quality, productive player last season who puts Chicago squarely back in the playoff picture after it missed out last season. He'll immediately slot in as the starting shooting guard, moving Jimmy Butler to small forward. The Bulls also recently agreed to a two-year deal with point guard Rajon Rondo.
On Wednesday, Bulls management cancelled its arranged afternoon meeting with Wade after their flights were repeatedly pushed back, according to a report, but Chicago remained in contact with him.
Both Butler and newly added point guard Rajon Rondo were reportedly recruiting Wade to Chicago. The money, opportunity and the calling of his hometown led Wade to the Bulls.
"Growing up in Robbins, Ill., I never dreamed that an NBA career could have even been possible and that one day I would wear a Chicago Bulls jersey," Wade wrote in a letter to the Associated Press. "Watching the Bulls growing up inspired me at an early age to pursue my dream of becoming a basketball player. My most treasured memories were watching my dad play basketball on the courts of Fermi Elementary School and developing my game at the Blue Island Recreation Center. I have never forgotten where I came from and I am thankful to have an opportunity to play for the team that first fueled my love of the game."
A 12-time All-Star, Wade averaged 19.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists last season while shooting 45.6 percent from the field. He shot 16 percent on 3-pointers. There will certainly be some questions as to how Chicago's backcourt will mix, as Rondo, Butler and Wade are all below-average 3-point shooters, but the Bulls have added some playmakers.
The Bulls have yet to make their signing of Wade official.