The Zhejiang Golden Bulls have made their intentions of signing Dwyane Wade known after offering the NBA superstar a whopping three-year $25 million deal.
Wade who averaged 12 points per game last season with the Miami Heat is still among the free agents who have yet to ink a deal with a team for the 2018-19 season. He increased his offensive production in the playoffs wherein he averaged 16.3 points in the Heat's first-round playoff loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 12-time All-Star made his presence felt in Games 2 and 4 of their playoff series against the 76ers wherein he tallied 28 and 25 points respectively. Prior to being offered by the Golden Bulls, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association have also contacted Wade.
"Right now, I'm focused on the game after basketball. Whatever happens in basketball, it happens. I've done everything that I can to this point to put myself...in this position I am today, where I can do something that hasn't been done globally yet," Wade said.
No Stranger In China
The 36-year-old Wade has been a familiar face in China as he once signed a lifetime contract with Chinese apparel company Li-Ning. He has been with the company since 2012. Wade said that he is hoping to return to the Heat, citing that he won't play with a different NBA team.
Among the NBA players who suited up for the Golden Bulls include Ivan Johnson, J.R. Smith, Jarnell Stokes, Kirk Snyder, Mike James, Eddy Curry, and Jarnell Stokes. Other players who played for the team are Lorenzo Brown, Quincy Douby, and Josh Boone. Should Wade accept the offer from the Golden Bulls, the Heat guard will earn $8.3 million per year.
Will Wade Head To China?
Just last month, Wade revealed that he would consider playing overseas to secure additional playing time. Wade is currently being joined by another free agent in Udonis Haslem in his marketing tour in China. Haslem is expected to return to the Heat for a veteran's minimum deal worth $2.3 million.
Currently, the Heat has three roster spots remaining after signing Wayne Ellington and Derrick Jones Jr. Players who are under contract with the Heat for the 2018-19 season include Ellington, Jones Jr., Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, Rodney McGruder, Bam Adebayo, and Justise Winslow. Joining them are Kelly Olynyk, Josh Richardson, and Tyler Johnson.
The Heat can still keep Wade by signing him into a taxpayer mid-level exception deal worth $5.3 million. At present, Miami is $4 million over the luxury tax of $123 million.
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