NBA Rumors: Is Dwyane Wade on the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers radar?
With the NBA Finals and NBA Draft over now is the time for NBA Rumors to get crazy, especially for teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. With Free Agency set to begin July 1st, you can expect a ton of rumors in regards to some of your favorite players and teams. One, that has come out of nowhere has been the Dwyane Wade rumors. With Wade picking up his $24M option this week it was thought that the Bulls were ready to contend with him, Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo. But that all changed when the Bulls shipped Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Rondo’s name has come up in trade or buyout talks.
Which brings us to Wade.
Wade opted in with the notion that the team would move forward with its main core. It seems as soon as he agreed, the Bulls shipped Butler out. Now Wade is left in the locker room with Rondo, a player he has had past issues with and no Butler who accounted for 24 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds per game for a team that finished 6th in total defense. His production will be missed even with the addition of high-flying Zach LaVine.
LaVine has potential, however, a player with Wade’s skills, experience, and health issues should not have to rely on potential. He needs to win now and it may seem that he and the Bulls may be headed towards a divorce. It can be done by trade or by a buyout and if or when that happens, the potential suitors will come out in droves. But where would Wade be best suited?
The likely destination would be the Cleveland Cavaliers to pair up with his friend– LeBron James. It would be only fitting if Wade paid James back for coming to Miami. Wade, Kyrie Irving, James, Love and Tristan Thompson would be a force to be reckoned with, not only in the East but the NBA. Despite what the Boston Celtics may do, they will be no match for the Cavs on either end of the floor.
Another team who would be a great fit for Wade is the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers are still seen as a team on the rise but with the addition of Brook Lopez, they may have found a way to ease themselves into the top 8 in the Western Conference. If the Bulls were to buyout Wade that means the Lakers can get him for the veteran minimum and still have cap space left over to make another major move. Wade, paired with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Lopez will be enough to reach 40-50 wins. It sounds crazy but this young Lakers team could use another veteran presence and with Wade having won 3 championships, he is just what this core needs to usher in a new era.
If the Bulls are indeed hitting the reset button, then moving or letting go of Wade should be a top priority. The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers should be waiting outside his house with a contract.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
