Shams Charania: Sources: Cleveland plans to waive rookie JaCorey Williams to clear roster spot and sign Dwyane Wade. Williams plans to find next team soon.
More on Dwyane Wade Free Agency
By cutting Williams, the Cavs can keep center Kendrick Perkins in camp. Perkins, a friend of LeBron James, is trying to make an NBA comeback after missing last season. With Cleveland's roster constructed as is, Perkins' chance of making the team is small. The Cavs will have to waive or trade a player with a guaranteed contract before the start of the season because of Wade's arrival. Wade is expected to clear waivers at 5 p.m. Wednesday and sign with the Cavs.
Dave McMenamin: LeBron James on adding Dwyane Wade: "I'm happy that we were able to keep him away from everybody else" pic.twitter.com/HghZ2bfCse
Adrian Wojnarowski: Dwyane Wade plans to sign with Cleveland once he clears waivers on Wednesday, league sources tell ESPN.
Shams Charania: Sources: Dwyane Wade has reached agreement on a one-year, $2.3M deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Dwyane Wade had considered the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Heat, league sources said. Wade hasn't ruled out the idea of a future return to Miami, but his desire to join a contender outweighed the sentiment of a Heat reunion, league sources said. Wade has reconciled his Miami relationships after a difficult free-agent parting in 2016, sources said.
Forward Tristan Thompson said he expects Wade will fit in well with the Cavaliers' roster. "He's pretty familiar with most of the guys on our team, whether playing against or playing with. I think he's going to jell pretty well. He's a veteran, he's always been a good locker room guy. We've never heard anything bad," Thompson said. "It would be great for our team to have another championship-mentality player on our team. It's just more pieces to the puzzle."
Tristan Thompson: 👀👀
Paul George: Lmao that’s pretty accurate
Interestingly, the Warriors placed a call of their own to Wade’s camp to express interest in his services, a source told HoopsHype. The talks were brief because it was unclear what role Wade would play with Golden State. Throughout his decision-making process, Wade made it clear to interested teams that he wants to play significant minutes on a contender. The Warriors weren’t clear about his playing time, so both parties moved on. Golden State, which has 15 guaranteed players under contract, had to know landing Wade was unlikely, but they did their due diligence. If Wade surprised them and signed, they would’ve added a future Hall of Famer to an already loaded roster and – perhaps more importantly – kept him away from their rival Cavs.
Twelve-time NBA All-Star guard Dwyane Wade is nearing a commitment to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers and could finalize his decision as soon as Wednesday, league sources told ESPN. Wade, who agreed to a contract buyout with Chicago, will clear waivers on Wednesday and become an unrestricted free agent. Wade has been pulled to rejoin LeBron James on the Cavaliers. Wade and James are longtime friends, and were teammates on two NBA championship teams with the Miami Heat. Wade, 35, is eligible to sign a one-year, $2.3 million veteran's minimum contract with the Cavaliers.
Dwyane Wade is leaning heavily toward the Cavaliers as his new team once he clears waivers and may have already decided on a reunion with LeBron James, league sources with knowledge of Wade's thinking told cleveland.com. Wade, 35, a 12-time All-Star and close friend to LeBron James, is expected to clear waivers Wednesday, when he is free to sign with any team. He accepted an approximately $16 million buyout of his $23.8 million contract from the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night.
But a prominent league source outside of James' circle with knowledge of Wade's thinking told cleveland.com that Wade "has no intention of going anywhere else." Sources close to James have long believed he would come to Cleveland in the event of a buyout. Cavs sources would confirm the team's interest in Wade, but nothing more.
ESPN Cleveland: Windy on Wade to Cavs: "It sounds like it's going to happen..."
Shams Charania: Sources: Dwyane Wade has been formally placed on NBA waivers by the Bulls, clears waivers on Wednesday.
"Everybody knows how I feel about Dwyane, how my relationship is with Dwyane," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Having worked together and grown close for 13 years, I love Dwyane. He's a brother of mine. He's a brother to a few guys in that locker room. He's a brother to all of us in this organization."
"My focus is on this group," Spoelstra said Monday morning, before the official announcement of the Chicago buyout. "That's not even official. It can't be a thought in my mind right. Ultimately that will be a decision of Pat, Andy.”
“He understands what my position is, he understands what my feelings are, but he also understands that as a brother I will support whatever decision he makes,” Haslem said Monday at Heat media day. “My heart, my soul, my mind and everything that’s speaking to me says I want him here, we want him here.”
Udosnis Haslem: “Oviously that’s a decision he has to make and I will support that decision whatever it is, whether it’s in Miami, OKC or Cleveland, I will support whatever decision he makes. I would hope it would be here. It would be a dream come true.”
KC Johnson: Bulls exec VP John Paxson: "Dwyane was professional the entire way through. We have nothing but good things to say about him."
Jeff Zillgitt: LeBron James on Dwyane Wade: "I would love to have D-Wade a part of this team."
Barry Jackson: Dragic: "Hopefully (wade) comes back home. This is his home."
Adrian Wojnarowski: As OKC makes an aggressive bid for Dwyane Wade, remember this: Paul George and Wade spent considerable time together in gym this summer.
Ira Winderman: Udonis Haslem confirms he has spoken to Dwyane Wade about a reunion with the Heat.
David Aldridge: Strong belief remains this morning per league sources that @DwyaneWade winds up in Cleveland after Bulls buyout.
Anthony Chiang: Heat spokesman says because Dwyane Wade buyout is not official yet, team is limited in what they can say about him. So, keep that in mind.
Alex Kennedy: I still think CLE is frontrunner for Wade. He can contend, play a significant role and reunite with Bron. Cavs are "all over him" right now.
Alex Kennedy: The Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams to reach out to Dwyane Wade, according to sources.
Alex Kennedy: Many Heat fans are hoping for a Dwyane Wade reunion, but Miami hasn't reached out yet. It remains to be seen if they will.
Three months after trading Jimmy Butler and waiving Rajon Rondo, the Bulls reached agreement on a buyout with Dwyane Wade on Sunday night, the eve of training camp. A source said Wade gave up roughly $8 million to $9 million of the $23.8 million he stood to make after picking up his player option on June 20, two days before the Butler deal.
"I just felt it was time for me, turning 36, that I want to be competing for a championship," Wade told the Tribune in a phone interview. "I said when I got here, it was always a dream for me to play here. And getting that opportunity was special. And I can't even say it wasn't what everyone expected because we went to the playoffs. And trying to restore this franchise to respectability was our goal. The organization decided to go in a different direction, which I respect.
Alex Kennedy: Carmelo Anthony and Paul George have already started recruiting Dwyane Wade to the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to sources.
Alex Kennedy: The Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams to reach out to Dwyane Wade, according to sources.
Alex Kennedy: Many Heat fans are hoping for a Dwyane Wade reunion, but Miami hasn't reached out yet. It remains to be seen if they will.
Alex Kennedy: Something worth noting: Dwyane Wade and Pat Riley haven't fully repaired fractured relationship. They still haven't directly communicated.
Barry Jackson: Yes, Heat has interest in Wade, per source. But would have to accept bench role and exception money. Wade would seem to have better options
Wade, 35, is a close friend to LeBron James and won two NBA titles with him when the two played for Miami Heat. A source close to James expects Wade to ultimately choose Cleveland, and ESPN is reporting the Cavs are the "clear" favorite to get him.
James and Wade spent a week working out together in Los Angeles earlier this month, and their personal friendship is well known.
The Cavs currently have a full roster and would have to waive or trade someone to sign Wade -- which will cost them millions more in luxury taxes. Richard Jefferson is 37 and will make $2.5 million. He'd be a potential roster casualty in the event the Cavs and Wade come to terms.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Dwyane Wade gave back approximately $8M of his $23.8M salary to reach buyout agreement with Bulls, league sources tell ESPN.
Ramona Shelburne: Why would Bulls do a buyout for @Dwyane Wade ? @Bobby Marks tells me they're only $2 million above the salary floor w/ full Wade salary. In other words, doesn't actually help the Bulls to get $ back from Wade because they have to hit the salary floor anyway
Adrian Wojnarowski: Cleveland's clear frontrunner with LeBron James, but Wade may take a little time to decide, league sources tell ESPN.
Alex Kennedy: Keep an eye on CLE and OKC. MIA is a possibility, but they seem to want Wade off the bench (and he wants to start).
Alex Kennedy: LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have obviously talked throughout the summer. I'm told CLE has made it clear Wade would start if he signs.
Bobby Marks: What do teams have to offer Dwyane Wade? MIA: $4.2M SAS: $3.3M CLE: $2.5M OKC: $2.3M The minimum for Wade is $2.3M
KC Johnson: The Bulls and Dwyane Wade have reached agreement on a buyout, per sources.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Sources: Cleveland, San Antonio and Miami are leaders for Dwyane Wade post-Bulls buyout. OKC could become factor too.
Royce Young: As a few have pointed out, this is Dwyane Wade’s most recent like on Twitter:
Riley said what will endure are Wade's accomplishment's over his 13 seasons with the Heat, including three NBA titles. "Other than actually being in love with Dwyane Wade because of our relationship over 13 years when he was here, and remembering when Jason Terry missed that shot in Dallas and Dwyane collared the rebound, threw it to the heavens and we won the championship and he was MVP of that series," Riley said of the 2006 NBA Finals, "other than that, if something happens, and I can speak to this because he’s under contract to them, I'm just speaking of my experience with Dwyane."
All eyes will be on Wade as he enters his 15th season, with the 6-4 hometown kid’s stay in Chicago possibly nearing its end. After fellow guard Jimmy Butler was dealt to Minnesota in a draft-night trade, Wade — who had exercised his $23.8 million option for the 2017-18 season — made it known in his circles that he wanted a buyout. According to one source, however, he has not gone to the front office with that request. Don’t expect that to change. According to the same source, Wade is hoping the Bulls approach him first — with a suitable monetary amount.
The Heat would be interested in Wade under certain circumstances, including if he agrees to a bench role and if he would be willing to play for Miami’s $4.3 million exception.
“First of all, obviously, everyone wants to compete,” Wade said. “It’s no secret. We would all love to compete for a championship 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. Hopefully, one day before I’m done playing this game, I can be back in position to compete for a championship.” Wade elaborated on his comments after Aldridge asked if he would like to be on another team that can compete for championships. “Definitely, definitely. It’s no secret. And everyone knows that. I’ve been lucky. I’ve been to five Finals. So If I never go to another one, I can’t complain. But I would love to,” said Wade. “I would love to because I feel I can add to something a team that’s in that position. That’s not something I can focus on or something I can worry about right now.”
Wade is prepared to report to the Bulls if a buyout can’t be reached, but league sources say he has started considering potential options in the event that he hits unrestricted free agency. While it’s far too early to label any team as a frontrunner to add Wade, sources close to the situation said that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are two teams to watch as this unfolds.
Wade and his former teammate LeBron James are obviously still very close and Cleveland would give the 12-time All-Star his best chance to compete for a fourth title. If the Cavs were to land Wade, sources familiar with the situation said they would likely make him a starter and move JR Smith into a sixth man role.
Though ESPN reported that LeBron James’ camp expects Dwyane Wade to end up with Cleveland if he reaches a buyout with the Bulls, a Wade associate has been telling people that Miami and Los Angeles are also appealing destinations for Wade. Chicago media has reported recently that no Bulls buyout talks have happened yet with Wade, and it’s unclear when they will happen...The person who mentioned Miami and L.A. to me was the same person who first alerted me to my scoop a few years ago that Wade’s negotiations with the Heat were not going well - the first time that information ever surfaced (and a year later, the sides divorced).
While LeBron James is reportedly confident that old friend Dwyane Wade will ultimately join him on the Cleveland Cavaliers this coming season, some of Wade's Chicago Bulls teammates might be happy to see him go. "The young players on the Bulls really can't stand Dwyane," ESPN's Nick Friedell said on "The Jump" on Tuesday. "It's no secret in Chicago, they have had enough."
Will the Bulls and Dwyane Wade reach a buyout? Apparently, not only do people close to LeBron James believe it’ll happen, they have a read on Wade’s destination. Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com: "As of right now, people close to James are fairly confident that, at some point this year, Dwyane Wade is going to end up on the Cavs."
Let the rumor mill continue to churn. Dwyane Wade’s children have moved back to south Florida to attend school, according to Miami radio host Andy Slater. Wade’s kids attended school in Chicago last year.
Miami Heat captain Udonis Haslem has some advice – and a message – for his good friend, Dwyane Wade. “My advice to him is, ‘Hey, we’d love to have you but take it one step at a time, take it one day at a time,” Haslem said today on the Joe Rose Show on 560WQAM. “The situation with Chicago and everything that’s going on it’s just a frustrating situation on both sides and I think he just made a decision based on frustration.” Haslem, who is about to start his 15th season with the Heat, spent 13 of those with Wade. With speculation Wade and the Chicago Bulls are headed for a breakup via a buyout, Haslem is hoping to be reunited with his friend.
But with the Bulls rebuilding, nobody would be surprised if the Bulls and Wade agree to a buyout in January or February. Players who are on an NBA roster next season must be released by March 1 to be playoff-eligible with another team. While the Heat had no interest in bringing back Wade on a big-money deal, there likely would be Heat interest in Wade at a lower salary. Miami’s level of interest would depend, in part, on need at the time.
Miami is loaded at guard, with five veteran players, but has not ruled out a Wade return at some point. The Heat still has available a $4.3 million exception and could also sign any players to a minimum deal. Heat president Pat Riley said last week that he’s inclined to hold onto the exception but obviously did not mention Wade or any other player.
One person asked Waiters “is there enough space on @dionwaiters3 island for Wade County?” Responded Waiters: “Yu Damn right any day of the week.” Waiters then retweeted a picture of he and Wade standing side by side, as Heat teammates.
Wade is a lock to get bought out next season. The Bulls have cap space, but they also have a chance to step into the league's tanking vacuum -- especially if the Kings, after a great draft night, follow through on plans to chase big-money veteran free agents.
Vincent Goodwill: Pax on Wade: "We’ve studied teams who’ve rebuilt. You need veteran presence in the locker room. We’ve yet to talk to him but we will."
Vincent Goodwill: Dwyane Wade is still taking his player option for $23.8 million next season, according to sources. The Jimmy Butler trade affects nothing
Alex Kennedy: Chicago's decision to deal Jimmy Butler will impact Dwyane Wade's decision regarding his player option, league sources confirm. No surprise.
Dwyane Wade has informed the Bulls that he will pick up his $23.8 million player option for next season. Team personnel have believed for several months that the 35-year-old would pick up the option because it was highly unlikely he would be offered that much money on the open market.
Vincent Goodwill: Sources: Bulls were informed by Dwyane Wade that he's picking up his option for next season. Story to come
Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade is leaning toward picking up his $24 million player option to remain with the team next season, league sources told ESPN.com. Wade has until June 27 to inform the Bulls of his decision. After the season, sources said, Wade told the Bulls he had no interest in being part of a rebuilding situation, if they chose to deconstruct a team that gave the Boston Celtics a strong challenge in the first round of the playoffs this year.
Sources tell CSNChicago.com Wade hasn’t yet made a decision on next season and hasn’t informed the Bulls of anything yet, as he’ll continue vacationing for the next couple weeks before deciding his future. Wade met with Bulls management last week in the attempt to gauge where the franchise’s direction would be for next season. The Bulls hold the 16th pick in next week’s NBA Draft, and although they’ve met with Jimmy Butler, things still appear murky as to their long-term commitment to Butler and if they want to try to make inroads in the Eastern Conference with veteran reinforcements.
In that meeting, the Bulls were up front about the likelihood that they will stay the course as opposed to looking at the landscape of the East and making significant changes to the personnel, sources close to Wade tell CSNChicago.com. The Bulls gave the same speech to Butler in their last meeting when Butler came back to Chicago over a week ago, although one wonders if they’ll entertain trade discussions surrounding Butler next week with the draft approaching.
While the front office came out of a weekend meeting with Dwyane Wade with no official decision from the veteran guard on his 2017-18 $23.8-million player option, several teammates had a sense of the direction Wade was leaning. “He definitely sounds like a guy that’s coming back,’’ one Bulls player told the Sun-Times on Monday. “I just feel like when you’re talking about recruiting [potential free agents] and what you hope your [teammates] are working on [this summer], you’re in.’’
After sitting courtside in Cleveland for Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Dwyane Wade met with Bulls management in Chicago on Saturday for his season-ending player exit meeting, sources said. Similar to Jimmy Butler, Wade met briefly with management on April 29, the day after the Celtics eliminated the Bulls from the playoffs. Both sides agreed to meet more substantively after taking some time to decompress.
The meeting, which was described as positive and came on the heels of a similar meeting with Butler earlier last week, covered a wide variety of topics, including the possibilities for next year’s team, one source said. Wade has until June 27 to officially decide on his $23.8 million player option to return to the Bulls next season. The Bulls haven’t pressed Wade on his decision out of respect for the process. But the franchise has been preparing for Wade to opt in all along, and most league observers believe Wade will return.
And all I can tell you is most everyone associated with the Bulls believes Wade will pick up the option and remain in Chicago for a second season. More surprising things have happened in league history, though. So stay tuned. Wade's player option decision is due by June 27 according to The Vertical's Bobby Marks. Most previous reporting pegged it to June 30.
