Dwyane Wade and LeBron James set to reunite
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are set to reunite as Wade nears an agreement to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Seven years ago, as LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers to form a Big Three with the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the hearts of the Cleveland faithful were twisted and hardened with pain and anger. Today, with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that Wade not only is leaning towards signing with the Cavs but nearing a deal with his former teammate’s team, those same hearts are healed from the championship James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to in 2016.
Now, after four years of vociferously rooting against Wade’s Heat, the same fans are awaiting Wade’s arrival in the Land for a second time. Last season, despite rational but frenzied speculation that Wade would sign with the Cavs, the three-time NBA champion chose to sign with his own hometown team: the Chicago Bulls.
That experiment didn’t work out, with the Bulls’ younger players eventually growing tired of the preferential treatment Wade received and never letting go of the fact Wade called them out publicly.
The three alpha personalities the Bulls had to lead their charge following Derrick Rose’s trade to the New York Knicks are now all gone.
Rajon Rondo is a New Orleans Pelican at DeMarcus Cousins’ behest. Jimmy Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Wade was bought out of his contract just days ago.
Now, ironically, both Rose and Wade will be James’ teammates next season.
There are rumors that Wade will start if signed and, with Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue saying Rose is their starter while Thomas is out, either J.R. Smith or Tristan Thompson will find themselves on the bench. With the spacing issues likely to come along with a backcourt of Rose and Wade, two guards whose efficiency falls off a cliff when asked to shoot threes, Thompson is more likely to be benched instead of Smith.
Especially with the Cavs intent to use Kevin Love at center more this season than in years past.
At the Cavs Media Day, James stated the obvious when he said he would love for Wade to be his teammate again. Citing Wade’s championship pedigree and basketball mind, James only briefly touched on what Wade would bring to the Cavs.
At this point in Wade’s career, his scoring attack is methodical and his post game is probably the most reliable part of his offense. Consistent scoring outside the Big Three was always hard to come by for the Cavs. Now, with Rose and Wade joining the Big Three of Thomas, Love and James, that should no longer be a problem. Wade, a naturally gifted slasher, is also a player that will help the Cavs play the attacking style Lue wants to see from his team.
This will be a great signing for the Cavs from purely a basketball standpoint. The sentimental value is just icing on the cake.