Report: Dwyane Wade Unclear About Playing Next Season
What's the story?
Three-time NBA Champion Dwyane Wade hasn't made up his mind yet about playing the next season (2018-19).
In case you didn't know
Miami is known as Wade County and when we talk about him, often times the term #HeatLifer comes to mind but over the past two seasons, the Miami Heat are Wade's third team after the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Heart of the matter
The 2006 Finals MVP spoke with Miami Herald's Barry Jackson and said this:
"I don't know," Wade said. "I have told everybody around me that I am taking it after this season and go from there. It's the first year I've ever went into the summer with that mindset. I always went into it as a free agent or opting out of a deal to get another deal. This is the first summer I can say I'm just going into the summer and see how I feel and see the position this organization is in and go from there. I'm not really concerned with it, honestly. I'm cool with whatever I decide to do. It will be my decision."
Wade was traded at the mid-season trade deadline from the Cavs and since then he's played six games so far for the Heat (hasn't started any of the games) averaging 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists while shooting 40.8% from the field and 30% from the three-point line in 22.5 minutes. He's currently coming off the bench but the Heat have been struggling to find a beneficial spot for him in the rotation. And, it's a small sample size but Wade's been a net negative for the team while on the floor.
Wade further added:
"[Udonis Haslem] always talked about, as you get older, you take it year by year. But this is the first summer that I will go into the summer and say I ain't got much hair left, but I'm going to let my hair down and look at everything as a whole, my family and basketball. Being back here helps that situation for me, makes the decision even easier since now that I'm back already. And sit down with Pat [Riley] and Micky [Arison] and everybody and see what's best for me and go from there."
It's not just about what Wade decides, with respect to his physical commitment to the team, it's also whether he and the Heat franchise can agree to a new contract, given the contracts the team already has on its books for the next season.
What's next?
Right now, Wade is just fine as clearly seen from his most recent game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami - 27 points and the game-winner. It's fair to say he doesn't have any time to think about the next offseason, given that his team needs him completely focused to seal their Playoff berth.
Author's Take
I believe Wade should really think hard about playing next season. He has the opportunity to call it quits while he's still reasonably on a high in terms of contribution and value to a team even if it's off the bench, instead of dragging his career to a point where he needs to be forced out of the league (no team wants to sign him).