The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
LeBron pushing Cavs to sign Wade
The Cavaliers signed guard Derrick Rose in the offseason, traded for guard Isaiah Thomas, and now have the chance to add Dwyane Wade to a roster bursting with All-Stars.
“I would love to have DWade part of this team,” Cavaliers star LeBron James said on Sept. 25 during Cavaliers media day in Independence. “I think he brings another championship DNA, championship pedigree. He brings another playmaker to the team who can get guys involved, make plays and also just have a great basketball mind.”
James and Wade played together on the Miami Heat for four years from 2010-11 through 2013-14. They won two NBA titles together.
James used the word “brings,” not “would bring,” as though adding Wade is already a done deal.
Wade, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, was a rookie in 2003, the same as James. Wade played 13 seasons with the Heat and was an All-Star 12 times. He played with the Chicago Bulls in 2016-17 and reached a buyout agreement on Sept. 24 so he could become a free agent.
The Heat, Spurs, and Thunder are also possible landing spots for Wade, but the Cavaliers are front-runners to win the Wade sweepstakes, according to ESPN.
“I’m going to take tonight and some of tomorrow and speak to the teams or players that are on my list and go from there,” Wade told The Associated Press on Sept. 24. “My decision is a pure basketball decision, and I’ll make the one that fits me best at this point in my career and with what I feel I have to offer a team that needs what I have to offer.”
The Cavs are carrying 19 players heading into the start of training camp on Sept. 26. They have one open roster spot.
“It would be great to have him here,” James said. “Our front office has done some great things throughout this summer.
“I’ve talked to D-Wade throughout the whole summer. I’ll probably reach out to him, as well, but it’s not up to me. It’s up to D-Wade if he can clear waivers and then it’s up to our front office, but I hope we can bring him. I would love to have him.”
Wade, 35, has averaged 23.3 points and 5.7 assists per game during his career.