Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest players in Miami Heat history, but the relationship between Wade and the only franchise he’s ever known has gotten pretty frosty. Wade passed up a $16.1 million option this season to enter free agency, and his return to the Heat seems in doubt.
Wade will go down as one of the top shooting guards in NBA history, but he has a track record of missing time every season, and his game is not exactly modern. Wade relies on his physical ability—which is declining—to get to the rim, and he has always been a below-average 3-point shooter. Still, he remains a top-flight scorer and playmaker when he is on the court. Here are three teams that could absolutely make use of him, especially on a non-max contract.
New York Knicks
The Knicks have a ton of cap room, and fans that want to win right now. They weren’t satisfied when they selected Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis, a 19-year-old with near-unlimited upside, because he may be a few years away from stardom. Carmelo Anthony is coming back this season, and he doesn’t have much help on the roster.
Signing Wade, especially if he’s given a short-term deal with options to re-enter free agency when the salary cap explodes, gives the Knicks instant credibility in the East, and excites the fan base. Wade and Anthony are both ball-dominant players, but they made it work on Team USA and will probably make it work in the Big Apple. New York City is one of the few places Wade can leave Miami for and still be in the public eye.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have the room to sign a big name, and while LaMarcus Aldridge has become a target for them, why not sell Wade on teaming up with Dirk Nowtizki and joining one of the league’s most player-friendly franchises?
After letting go of Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis, Dallas’ backcourt is lacking punch and Wade offers scoring in spades. He will also be another veteran leader alongside Nowtizki for a club that will probably be pretty young next season. This could be a long-shot, but it makes a lot of sense.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have been linked to LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol quite a bit, but why not Wade? Danny Green is likely to leave via free agency, and Manu Ginobili is no longer fit to be a big-minutes guard. The Spurs may convince Wade to take a bit less to join a championship contender, and Wade has shown that he is willing to adapt his play to a system in order to win. He would instantly be San Antonio’s best offensive player, and he could relieve the scoring burden on forward Kawhi Leonard, who is best suited as a top defender and No. 2 option offensively.
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