Wade-to-Cavs doesn’t change relationship

BOCA RATON — It won’t be until Wednesday before Dwyane Wade can announce his next NBA home, after he formally clears NBA waivers, but there already was an acceptance at Tuesday’s opening of Miami Heat camp at Florida Atlantic University that there won’t be a reunion.

Amid numerous reports of Wade being on the verge of joining former Heat teammate LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers, there was an acceptance of moving forward without the franchise icon, just as the team did a year ago when Wade signed with the Chicago Bulls.

“At the end of the day, nothing changes for what we had in mind and what our plans and what our goals are as a team and as an organization. So that doesn’t change anything,” said Heat captain Udonis Haslem, who has been in contact with Wade in recent days. “And I don’t take it personal at all. Like I said, at the end of the day, Dwyane has to do what he feels is best for Dwyane. Would have loved to have him here. Would have loved to play with him here.

“But nothing changes with his and my relationship. He’s always going to be my brother.”

The Cavaliers have been considered a frontrunner for Wade since the 35-year-old guard reached a buyout on the second and final year of the contract he signed in 2016 with the Bulls, after the first 13 seasons of his championship career with the Heat.

For Haslem, it turns the games against the Cavaliers into a rivalry squared, going against both Wade and James.

“I’m going to put my special request in to Spo for some minutes in that game,” he said, with a laugh, of advance lobbying to coach Erik Spoelstra. “I got six fouls, so probably three on each, and a flagrant on Dwyane.”

Spoelstra said whatever happens does not necessary close the door on an eventual Heat reunion.

“Whatever Dwyane does, that’s never going to change how I feel about him or about our hopes or where he ends up eventually, wherever that is,” Spoelstra said.