Wade set to reunite with James on Cavs
Together again: LeBron and D-Wade. Just like old times.
Dwyane Wade has decided to sign with Cleveland, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday.
Wade, a 12-time All-Star, is expected to clear waivers Wednesday and then join the Cavaliers, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be completed until Wade goes through the waiver process.
In Cleveland, Wade will be reunited with James, his close friend and former Miami teammate.
Wade and James won two NBA titles together during four seasons with the Heat and now will chase another one with the Cavs, who have been revamped after losing to the Warriors in last season’s Finals.
On Monday, James said he would love to play again with Wade.
“He brings another championship pedigree, championship DNA,” James said at 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.”
Once Wade completes the waiver formality, he’ll be the latest new, high-profile player to join the Cavs, who traded for All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas, signed 2010-11 league MVP Derrick Rose and added two strong wing defenders in Jae Crowder and Jeff Green, players who might help them defend the Warriors if the two teams meet in the Finals for a fourth straight year.
Thomas isn’t expected to play until January because of a hip injury, but until he returns, the Cavs have plenty of offense in James, Wade, Rose and All-Star Kevin Love, despite losing Kyrie Irving to Boston in the Thomas trade.
Wade agreed to a contract buyout this week with the Bulls, who signed him before last season as a free agent. He’ll get a veteran’s minimum contract worth $2.3 million with Cleveland, which has a surplus of shooting guards with Wade, J.R. Smith and Kyle Korver and Iman Shumpert.
Cleveland head coach Tyronn Lue has depth and decisions to make.
“There’s a challenge every year when you add new guys and add all the guys we added,” Lue said. “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.”
The Cavaliers emerged Tuesday as front-runners over the Heat and Thunder to land Wade, 35. He’ll now have a shot at another championship — his fourth — while playing alongside James, with whom he has been friends since they broke into the league together in 2003. Signings: The Kings signed guard Marcus Williams on the first day of training camp. The 31-year-old No. 22 pick in 2006 is attempting a comeback after last playing in the NBA during 2009-10 season before playing the past five seasons overseas. ... Forward T.J. Warren has signed a $50 million, four-year contract extension with the Suns. “Tony Buckets” averaged career highs of 14.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in 66 games last season, his fourth in the league.