The long-rumoured buyout has been agreed on. Dwyane Wade is no longer a Chicago Bull. Do the LA Clippers have a shot?
The lowly Chicago Bulls and Dwyane Wade have reportedly agreed to part ways after the veteran opted in to his player option worth around $25 million.
It is clear that Wade, heading toward the twilight of his career, was not exactly the happiest camper in the Windy City last season. Following the roster overhaul including trading away franchise centerpiece Jimmy Butler, it was clear that he was not going to be a Bull for the entirety of the 2017-18 season.
There were rumours of a reunion with Banana Boat and Miami championship alum LeBron James, and this week reports linking him with Carmelo Anthony and company in Oklahoma City. The report of the buyout, coming from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, cites several potential destinations.
Sources: Cleveland, San Antonio and Miami are leaders for Dwyane Wade post-Bulls buyout. OKC could become factor too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 25, 2017
A later tweet indicates that the NBA insider believes the Cavaliers are the most likely destination.
Cleveland's clear frontrunner with LeBron James, but Wade may take a little time to decide, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/onXPOeaYfG
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 25, 2017
So, let’s break down why the LA Clippers could or could not be candidates to sign Dwyane Wade.
Why the Clippers will sign Wade
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Wade’s minimum salary is set at $2.3 million.
What do teams have to offer Dwyane Wade?
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 25, 2017
MIA: $4.2M
SAS: $3.3M
CLE: $2.5M
OKC: $2.3M
The minimum for Wade is $2.3M
Given that he signed a deal worth more than $20 million a season with the Bulls, if would be reasonable to assume Wade would want more than that. But, is he really worth that much in today’s NBA? He doesn’t produce at nearly the same level as he did in his prime, recording a career low in assists and the lowest average scoring mark since his rookie season this past year. He is a below average three point shooter and missed a considerable amount of games last year.
All this to say, Wade should probably think about accepting a deal at the minimum, or at least close to it. Unfortunately, the Clippers have nothing to pay him with. In fact Steve Ballmer has a healthy luxury tax bill to pay. Unfortunately, the Clippers only have the remaining $700 000 or so of their mid-level exception to practically use. Trade exceptions like the one generated today through the DeAndre Liggins trade can’t be involved here. However, if Wojnarowski is to be believed (and he generally should be), Wade may take a minute to assess his options. This could give the Clippers time to shift some salary and create enough room to sign Wade, although this would take some financial wizardry.
Why would the Clippers want Dwyane Wade though? Well, basically, the guy knows how to win and has been around the traps long enough to have picked up some nuggets of wisdom to pass on to a team that desperately needs some championship pedigree.
Why the Clippers won’t sign Wade
As Wojnarowski points out, Wade is far and away more likely to sign with a championship contender regardless of financial situation. Wade wants to play for a winner, or at the very least play with friends. LeBron James has the gravitational pull of a small black hole.
Unfortunately, the Clippers just aren’t likely to be able to get involved here. In all likelihood, he will either rejoin LeBron James, head ‘home’ to Miami, or head to the new-look Thunder. All the Clippers really have going for them at the moment is geographic location and Jerry West.