The Charge

Wade-ing on the World to Change

Nearly a week after committing to his hometown team, Dwyane Wade had yet to sign his contract. 

By: Sal Galati

A smiling Dwyane Wade standing in front of his new logo

   The 2016 NBA free agency has most definitely been one for the record books. Players have been signing contracts whose salary figures are beyond astronomical. From Mike Conley Jr. signing a 5 year $153 million to remain in Memphis to Kevin Durant inking a 2 year $54 million contract to take his talents to Golden State and join perhaps one of the mightiest teams in NBA history with the Warriors. But, with all the big market free agents signing with their respected agreed upon teams, one has yet to make his deal official. I'm talking of course about the biggest free agent story to rock the NBA this year, Dwyane Wade.

   Who would have thought in a million years that Dwyane Wade, the Flash, Mr. Miami Heat himself would be departing from the team that drafted number five overall back in 2003, and gave three championships to? The answer is, well, no one.

   Wade's decision to leave the Miami Heat came due to the inability to reach a mutual agreement with General Manager Pat Riley, on a sizable contract of his own. After sitting back and watching Center Hassan Whiteside nab a contract tallying 4 years $98 million, Dwyane was floored to hear his initial offer of only $10 million. It's almost low-balling to offer perhaps the one player most synonymous with the Miami Heat franchise such chump change. So with little choice and no sign of achieving a contract to suit his worth, Mr. Wade decided to take his talents elsewhere.

   As many know, since being drafted to the Miami Heat, Dwyane has never been the highest paid player on the team, even after bringing all the success to the franchise that he has. The most recent coming back in 2010 after taking a pay cut to bring superstars LeBron James and Chris Bosh, to the organization in hopes of chasing that coveted NBA gold.

   Dwyane met with a few teams including the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks (who just so happen to play in the same arena that his college team of Marquette retired his jersey and is hanging in the rafters above), New York Knicks, and a few others.

   Finally, Mr. Wade had made a decision, much like former teammate LeBron James, to return home to his roots. To that beautiful city by the lake, the Windy City of Chicago to play with his childhood favorite team, the Chicago Bulls.

   On Wednesday, July 6, the Bulls and Dwyane Wade agreed to a 2 year $47 million deal to counteract a 2 year $40 million offer that the Heat offered in desperate hopes to retain their superstar.

   NBA rules clearly state that players and teams may agree to terms as early as July 1st. However, no player is able to officially sign with such team until July 8th.

   Well, July 8th as we know came and went with still no sign of a Dwyane Wade signature on the bottom of a contract. It was speculated that Wade was going to sign on this past Monday, however, once again, the day came and went without an official signing.

   Chicago Bulls fans across the city, as well as across the nation must wait another day to see Dwyane Wade raising the number 3 Bulls jersey (that former holder Doug McDermott unhesitatingly gave up on an Instagram post), with GM Gar Forman and Head Coach Fred Hoiberg. Some have even raised suspicion that the new superstar guard is even having some "cold-feet" about his decision to leave the only place he has called home for the past 13 years.

   Not to worry. That day will come soon. Dwyane will sign that contract, hoist the jersey, fill the seats, and most importantly compete at the highest level possible every game for his childhood team that sparked his love for the game...the Chicago Bulls.

  As for Pat Riley, the Miami Heat organization, and for the Heat fans around the world? I guess the only thing they can do is sit back and watch as their 13 year era comes to an end. It's as if this entire empire is gone...gone in a Flash.