According to a report from ESPN & Ramona Shelburne Tuesday morning, Chicago Bulls guard and former NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade is leaning toward picking up his $24 million player option with the Bulls for the 2017-18 season.
Dwyane Wade has until June 27 to inform the Bulls of whether he'll pick up his $24 million player option. https://t.co/CLbsyMBRyD
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 20, 2017
Wade will be entering his 15th NBA season at the age of 35, and while still a starting caliber player, he is clearly in the twilight of his career and would command nowhere near a $24 million salary in the free agent market this summer.
With the seeming likelihood that teammate Jimmy Butler is dealt this off-season or before the 2018 trade deadline, Wade has to decide if he wants to spend his 15th season with an exorbitant salary and playing for his hometown team, or if it is worth it to him to take less money to be a role player for a contender and chase another championship ring.
In all honesty, at this point there are only two real contenders in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The only way a 3rd develops is if the Boston Celtics are able to sign a big free agent like Gordon Hayward or Blake Griffin and deal for a player like Jimmy Butler. Wade would not be a part of that team for a multitude of reasons.
Does Wade want to pass up on at least $20 million in salary to be a role player for a Cavs team that may or may not really want him in order to chase another ring with his former partner-in-crime LeBron James? I think he is coming to realize playing for his hometown and cashing in on his final season with this earning potential is the right move for 2017-18.
Wade has until June 27 to inform the Bulls of his decision.
