Bulls expect Wade to land in Cleveland
DwyaneWade didn’t bother leaving a forwarding address.
Of course, the Bulls don’t believe it’s a secret whereWade will go after he and the team agreed to a contract buyout Sunday.
According to a front- office source, all indications point to Wade reuniting with good friend LeBron James and joining the Cavaliers.
The buyout— which reportedly called for the Bulls to payWade about $ 16 million of the $ 23.8 million he was set to make — was the first topic for vice president of basketball operations John Paxson to address on media day Monday.
“Through the weekend, [ general manager] Gar [ Forman] and [ Wade’s agent] Leon Rose were able to, with organization involvement, come to an agreement with Dwyane,’’ Paxson said. “I just want to say this: Obviously, we’ve chosen a different path. We understood Dwyane, at this stage, wants to play for a contending team. When both sides can agree, it’s probably best in that situation that something would happen.
“I want to say Dwyane was very professional entirely through his time here. We have nothing but good things to say about him— professional, great player, can still play the game. We wish him well, and we’re happy he’s in a good place and will find a situation that’s best for him. We’re happy now that we can again clearly define the direction we’re going.’’
Paxson addressed rumors that the young players didn’t like Wade, especially after he spoke out against their work ethic in January. Paxson said it was overblown.
“We talked earlier about some of the young guys, they were influenced by Dwyane— his professionalism, his Hall of Fame career, they took notice of that,’’ Paxson said. “The bottom line is we chose a different path. When Dwyane acknowledged that he wanted to play for a contender and didn’t want to be part of a rebuild, we worked with him, he worked with us and it became something we were able to do this weekend.’’
Next order of business
WithWade gone and Nikola Mirotic in the fold for two years, the Bulls already have started discussions on a contract extension for Zach LaVine.
“They’ve had some conversations,’’ LaVine said. “It doesn’t really matter to me. I’m going to let all that take care of itself. I know I’m a big part of this team, and I’m excited to be in negotiations with them. I want to be here for a long period of time. If it’s now or later, I know it’s going to be done either way.
“But right now, I’m focused on basketball and getting my knee healthy. But it’s always good to be in negotiations because it means you’re wanted. So we’ll see where it goes. Still got a lot of time left to figure that out.’’ LaVine has been rehabbing from a torn left anterior cruciate ligament. Though there’s no specific timetable, LaVine won’t be ready for the start of the regular season.
“You can think you’re in great shape when you’re rehabbing, but once you get on the floor and get in a defensive stance and run and do the things that basketball requires, it takes some time,’’ Paxson said.