4:14pm: The Heat have officially acquired Wade from the Cavs, the team announced today in a press release. Miami sent out a protected 2024 second-round pick in the deal, waiving A.J. Hammons to create a spot on the roster for Wade.
“We feel that Dwyane can help our team in so many ways,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement. “It is a beautiful moment for us, for the city and for the fans. All of us embrace it in the manner that we want to win and that’s why we brought Dwyane back home. We look forward to having a great end of season run as we fight for the playoffs.”
12:14pm: Dwyane Wade is coming home to Miami, confirms Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). The Cavaliers will receive a heavily protected second-round pick in return (Twitter link). ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported the deal earlier today, tweets Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv.
The trade is part of a day-long shakeup in Cleveland as the Cavs ship out veterans in favor of younger, more athletic wing players. Wojnarowski reports that the front office offered Wade a chance to return to the franchise where he spent his first 13 seasons and worked out a deal when he accepted.
The Cavaliers’ coaching staff was planning a reduced role for Wade going forward and he had been campaigning for a return to Miami behind the scenes, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN (Twitter link).
“The Cavs did right by him,” a source close to Wade and LeBron James tells Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
Wade signed a one-year deal with Cleveland in late September after agreeing to a buyout with the Bulls. He began the season as a starter, but asked to come off the bench after three games and became an effective leader of the second team. However, the return of Isaiah Thomas and Derrick Rose from injuries created a logjam in the backcourt and Wade’s role become less defined.
It’s not clear how much of a future he will have at age 36 on a relatively young Heat team. Regardless, it’s an excellent public relations move for Miami to erase the memories of a bitter breakup in the summer of 2016.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Cavs are going to be terrible defensively.
They already were lol
Good point lol. When Cavs make it to the playoffs they will regret moving Wade
This move was probably to get Wade minutes elsewhere. As it stands, the guards for Cleveland are Hill, Smith, Clarkson, Korver, Hood, and Osman. Osman has looked good, so you’re not pushing him to the end of the bench. Hill, Hood, and Clarkson are all new additions so they’re going to be getting minutes. Korver can still contribute and Smith can still be a decent two-way player when he’s hot. Wade just got pushed out of the rotation before this trade.
This move was made because Wade wants to retire in Miami. LeBron said the Cavs did him right!
Lebron to HOU.
Either Houston or Philly whoever offers the most money!
Holy shit. Cavs traded half their team in the last hour haha
Windhorst said they needed to trade four guys out of that locker room because it was so toxic. Pointing fingers at Kevin Love and blaming each other Etc.
Oh I know I’ve heard/read all the stuff going on there. Just crazy how quick it all happened
Cavs are just trading everyone lol
Cavs are making all kind of trade. As they should because they just didn’t look good but this trade surprises me.
Trying to go young and restructure the roster. Wade didn’t fit their bill anymore so send him back home
They will regret that come playoff time. Wade always produces in the playoffs.
They needed new blood in the locker room and a change up in the voices there. I think this was more about Wade not having a real significant role moving forward and wanting to move him to some place he’s be comfortable.
Gonna be a completely different roster next time they take the court lol
No loyalty feel bad to dw. He came for lebron and to play for a championship. Feel bad
LeBron hasn’t had loyalty since he signed in Miami.
So he should’ve stayed in Cleveland with a team that was never going to win a championship? The best thing for Cleveland was LeBron leaving in the first place. If LeBron stayed he would’ve never won a championship with that roster, nor would the Cavs have ever had Kyrie. Its amazing that players are expected to have unwavering loyalty to their teams yet if a team releases or trades away a guy, its just business.
This is all about the future. I have to check but I believe they get Hood’s Bird rights.
Everyone acquired today can help this year, but you don’t trade Wade for a pick unless you are planning future. Lebron will leave and I’m betting if not today then this offseason Love will be shipped for younger players and/or picks.
Altman is getting a head start on keeping them competitive in the East, while rebuilding through the draf.
Usually the bird rights get traded, if they are already owned so I think you’re right there. But I disagree about the Wade part. Cleveland just filled out the guard spots and still have Smith, Korver, and Osman. Wade was going to have a hard time finding minutes (since you’re not sticking Korver or Osman at the end of the bench). This is about doing right by Wade and LeBron. Wade is likely a year or two from retiring, and was likely to go back to Miami anyway, so this just gets him there quicker.
They actually got the Kyrie pick in the Mo Williams/Baron Davis trade with the clippers, but the point still remains
If LeBron had stayed in Cleveland, his legacy would have been different. He can’t play without a superteam. Or having the highest salary team in the NBA. Put Giannis in Golden state and see what happens to his legacy.
No one can play without a superteam if you want to win in the NBA. Your constant hatred toward one of, if not the best player in NBA history will haunt you the rest of your life.
LeBron has taken the Cavs on their back to the NBA finals something I’ve not seen anyone else do. His team in the 2007 season was something right out of the Canton Charge. Next you’re going to tell me Booby Gibson was the MAN!
Hating LeBron will not haunt me. Like I said I like Kuzma, Lou Williams/DeAndre, Durant/ Curry, Lilliard/McCollum. Devin Booker, Westbrook/George, and so on. I still love NBA basketball. I was an NBA fan before LeBron played.
He’s spoiled rotten. I’d rather watch these other guys play.
Dan Gilbert agrees with you!
He was coming from Chicago buy out. Wade kept saying he wanted to go back eventually. His longtime friend and agent died. You don’t trade Lebron’s best friend without approval
Your obviously right, but it’s nice to at least think management said here you go LeBron you got what you wanted now we’re shipping off your buddy!
If he got sent to anywhere but Miami (or another serious contender) I’d agree. But this is all about getting Wade some minutes elsewhere. I’m sure at some point Wade was going to resign with Miami so this just gets him there quicker.
I read the last sentence. It indicates that they were doing Wade a favor and LBJ was cool with it.
Dan Gilbert went to both James and Wade prior to the Minnesota game the day before the trade deadline. This is something Wade wanted. Wade knew his minutes were all but done in Cleveland. Lue knew Cavs are better with Wade on the bench. So the Cavs did something classy. I know you trolls like to hum by a different number, but the Cavs aren’t as dysfunctional as we all think.
RIP banana boat
Doing him a favor….now he can retire
No one to blame but management. They knew rose and wade weren’t young anymore. those were just signings to have LeBron happy with his buddies.
if Thomas and love weren’t injured none of this would of happened
Really? Why is your crystal ball so clear?
Welcome HOME Dwyane Wade!
C’mon lol who’s next LeBron? Love? Put the phone down the phone Cleveland
I have to think, based on relationship with LBJ, that this deal was either done as a request from Wade with LBJ being cool with it, or Gilbert is making this move as a fire sale with this year’s playoff run being an after thought.
Wade made next to nothing. I don’t understand how it helps them.
Gilbert went to both Wade and James before the Minnesota game and asked them. Lue told them and was very obvious, Wade is finished. Instead of having Wade at the end of the bench, he gave him his opportunity to retire a Heat. Nice gesture by Gilbert IMHO.
Will the Cavs have anybody available for tomorrow’s game? Seems like it always takes a few days for players to get to their new teams and such. Currently, they’d have to start Calderon, Smith, James, Green and Thompson. With pretty much only Korver and Osman off the bench..
I believe the magic # is 9? I could be off on that. I know some years back it was 8. However, they do have the Canton Charge down the road they can fill out a roster for a game. John Holland comes to mind along with Zizic.
Four good younger rotation pieces and kept the Nets pick. Good job by Altman preparing for LBJ’s departure next season.
“Can’t tell the players without a program!”
Arena vendors in Cleveland are loving this day…
Good luck in Miami, Wade! He wanted to retire there and this might be his last season. Makes sense on all sides.
Amazing username
Rose is the cancer. How can anyone support him? He leaves the team out of frustration then the Cavs go on a winning streak. Once he comes back look what happened.
Idk about that. We do know the king pin was IT. What a cancer. I will say this, I’ve never seen a more unhappy person than DRose. He was that way in Chicago when he’d give interviews.
Although I can imagine he most likely grumbled when IT came back and just took over the starting spot. DRose, today, is a much better PG than IT. Maybe when IT gets healthy, IF, he gets healthy that’s a different scenario, but at least DRose worked his butt off for Cleveland while he was here.
The guy that had the most to grumble about is/was Jose Calderon. Dude was the starter in that 14 game win streak. Suddenly went to the bench when the crybabies decided to play.
Wade obviously wanted this deal. Cavs got nothing. He was playing well and making minimum.
Thank god they are blowing up the wheelchair team
Trade LBJ Love and the rest of the roster too. Be the first team ever to trade their entire roster in one day.
Cavs do a classy thing! Good for them. Wade is finished as its was obvious. He gets to retire in Miami. The only question is whether this is his last year or will he want to start another year so he can take a full year retirement party?
Wade was still working for points but not moving much in the fullcourt game, or shooting long. I think he’s done.
He was a great leader getting the second unit to perform better than the starters, November & December, during their winning days, when the only good things that happened this year was going on. It was a beautiful style of basketball unique for the Cavs. Also I don’t recall them having a recognizable second unit before either. Without Wade, IDK, maybe the playoffs would not be possible.