Wades Decision & the Ramifications

(not so rare footage of Dwade's ego failing him on a dunk attempt on barely 5'8 Isiah Thomas while running a fast break)

Mid-day on June 20th, 2017, Dwayne Wade decided to skip the idea of a Jimmy Butler trade forcing him to opt out of his second year player option worth just short of twenty four million dollars. Single handedly changing the Bulls current and future plans. Up until that point it was rumored that Jimmy Butler wanted to be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Less than an hour after Wade taking the insane contract option the front office gave him last year. The Cleveland rumor was retracted as well as Jimmy's supposed preference of Cleveland. Followed by "members of the Cavs" telling Jimmy to  "stay far away". With the amount of salary tax they currently have, it is widely predicted LBJ will leave Cleveland again in chase of more rings. As most know he is 3-5 in finals appearances which leaves him sitting 4 rings short of what he promised in Miami alone, as well as only half of the GOAT's total of 6 (6-0 finals record).

Wades pending choice to rejoin the Bulls on his second year option was the key contributing factor to most Jimmy Butler trade rumors. As overpaying a past legend who's ego blinds his own reality as well as the Bulls front office's just long enough to finally cash in and be the highest paid player on a team. The speculation was that if the Bulls traded Jimmy to start a rebuild Wade would opt out and go to the "rescue" of Lebron and the Cavs for a veteran minimum. He had until June, 27th to inform the Bulls of his choice. By committing before a Butler trade and the NBA draft tomorrow June, 22nd on ESPN at 7PM. Wade not only killed any big free agency signings but also hindered Butlers value as Jimmy's willingness to be moved was diminished.

Although Butler has no Carmelo Anthony like trade restrictions in his contract, it really doesn't matter what Jimmy "wants". He is indeed up for auction to the highest bidder, but acquiring a player who doesn't want to be moved does lessen his value in the eyes of prospective trade partners. Some feel Wades knowledge attributed to Butlers next step in ascension of his career this past year. I happen to be on the unfavorable approach, as I respect and was more than happy with the initial signing last year. All be it I was filled with elation so I ignored the amount in which the Bulls put on the table to out bid Denver in free agency for Wades services. He arrived in Chicago giving promises of his knowledge furthering the organization and future free agent signings. His endorsement and assumed "playoff elevation" was supposed to open big signings in the future.

Wade followed his decision up with a tweet that reads "18.3 points a game in 29mins on 43% shooting at 35 years old. if I'm 25 with the same numbers I'm getting 150 million  #Fading #petty"

At this point of his career with his HOF numbers and legacy Wades tweet in attempt to validate his ego only speaks volumes to his motivation. That does not include either of the things he promised upon his arrival. He is only concerned on cashing on in what he feels he's owed ("24million reasons"). And stat padding his career averages. Wade can boast about this appearance of continued success at 35, but what he is ignoring to acknowledge or accept is. He only played 70% of the regular season games, only focused on getting his shots and numbers while ignoring any if not all defensive responsibilities in the regular season (-67 +/- overall). In his last year in Miami he sucked up valuable usage and posted a -7 +/- overall. Leading to Pat Riley (the man most grateful to Wade taking a lesser contract to bring two more rings to Miami) to tell Wade to kick his ego down the free agency trail.

Even with being the biggest hindrance to the Bulls in multiple aspects, from defensive effort, to cap availability, rookie encouragement, development of young players and overall attitude. The Bulls front office is most at fault for overpaying a man who wont play back to back games and requires an abundance of touches you cannot deny him due to his paycheck.

All negative opinions of Wade aside as I refuse to tote him for his past, he is a first ballot Hall of Famer. He is in the top 10 shooting guards of all time, arguably top 5. I spent a large amount of my childhood in the same GYM Dwayne played high school ball in (  Harold L. Richards High School of Oak Lawn).Idolizing the Chicago area native for all he accomplished as a steal at the #5 pick overall in 2003 for Miami only adds to my frustration of his current approach to the game. He is well deserving of the sum of his contract throughout his career. But to take advantage of your home town team in such a way is embarrassing, Contracts go both ways, for those of us who live in a realistic reality understand the full extent of earning your check. So to not take his head out of his oversized fridge and accept the role he can offer at this point in his career, is disgraceful to the blue collar fan base Chicago is built on.