D-Wade sa Cavs
CLEVELAND (AP) — Muling magkakasama sina LeBron at D-Wade.
Tinanggap ng two-time NBA champion ang alok na iang taong kontrata ng Cleveland Cavaliers para maging kasangga – sa isa pang pagkakataon – ni James, ayon sa source ng The Associated Press nitong Martes (Miyerkules sa Manila).
Inaasahang lalagdaan ni Wade ang waivers sa Miyerkules (Huwebes sa Manila) para maayos ang kanyang paglipat matapos pumayag sa buyout ng Chicago Bulls.
Nagkasama at nagtamo ng dalawang kampeonato sina James at Wade sa Miamia Heat.
“He brings another championship pedigree, championship DNA,” pahayag ni James sa Cleveland’s media day. “He brings another player to the team who can get guys involved, can make plays and also has a great basketball mind. ... I hope we can bring him here. I would love to have him.”
Ang pagdating ni Wade ay dagdag na lakas sa Cavaliers, inagawan ng korona ng Golden State Warriors, matapos makuha sa trade ni Kyrie Irving sina AllStar point guard Isaiah Thomas, one-time MVP Derrick Rose at dalawang wing defenders na sina Jae Crowder at Jeff Green.
Ngunit, sa Enero pa inaasahang makalalaro si Thomas na nagtamo ng injury sa balakang. Sa kabila nito, maangas pa rin ang Cavs sa presensiya nina James, Wade, Rose at All-Star Kevin Love.
Inaasahang tatanggap si Wade ng veteran’s minimum contract na US$2.3 million sa Cleveland na hitik din sa shooting guards na sina J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver at Iman Shumpert .
“There’s a challenge every year when you add new guys and add all the guys we added,” pahayag ni Cavs coach Tyrone Lue.
“Four or five new guys, it’s always tough and challenging. Anytime you get new pieces and new players it’s always challenging, but I’m up for the challenge and so are the players. We will figure it out. It will be a good year for us.”
Tangan ni Wade ang averaged 23.3 puntos, 4.8 rebounds at 5.7 assists sa 14 na seasons. Nagtala siya ng averaged 18.3, 4.5 rebounds at 3.8 assists sa Bulls.