June 22, 2008 – Dr. J-Water
A few weeks ago we heard the extremely far-fetched rumor that the Miami Heat may consider trading young superstar Dwayne Wade to his hometown Chicago Bulls. It seems as crazy now as it did a few weeks ago, however the rumor has resurfaced as of late in multiple mainstream media sources claiming there is some substance to it. The latest reference to the possibility came in this Sunday’s edition of the Boston Globe. Marc Spears has said some crazy things in his time, but nothing that would warrant completely turning a blind eye to this possibility.
Who would the Heat get in return for Wade?
The possibility outlined in the Globe report was the Heat shipping Wade to the Bulls in exchange for the #1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, plus young high flyer Tyrus Thomas and Larry Hughes. You may wonder why the Heat might even consider this, given that Wade is young and clearly a top 5 player in the league. The answer is simple, ‘rebuilding for the future’. If the Heat pulled the trigger on this deal they would hold the #1 and #2 picks in this year’s NBA draft. Essentially that would mean they would get both the highly touted top prospects of PG Derrick Rose out of Memphis, and PF Michael Beasley out of Kansas State. What better way to rebuild a franchise then around the tandem of Rose and Beasley? Throw in the raw, high-flying shot blocker Tyrus Thomas into the mix and the Heat would have one of the brightest futures in the NBA.
Don’t get me wrong; I never would promote a trade that ships a way a player of Dwayne Wade’s caliber, as players with his ability and competitiveness only come along once in a blue moon. But given Wade’s aggressive playing style, taking the ball to the cup with reckless abandon, there are constantly questions surrounding him and his ability to stay healthy. After two straight seasons playing far fewer games than expected the Heat may be getting a little concerned and looking to move Wade while his stock value is huge.
Think of a Miami Heat line-up of Derrick Rose, Larry Hughes, Shawn Marion, Michael Beasley, and Tyrus Thomas. That would have the Heat marketing machine once again cranked into overdrive, White Heat anyone? In today’s NBA game; where many teams are moving to a smaller lineup to play the up-tempo run and gun game, there may not be any lineup of athletes scarier in the open court than this 5 man combination.
So is there anything to this Wade/Chicago rumor; or is it all Bull?
