The mediocrity of this year’s Bulls team could influence Dwyane Wade‘s decision to opt out of the final year of his contract, says Nick Friedell of ESPN. In 40 games with Chicago, Wade has posted averages of 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists but the 22-23 Bulls haven’t done much to prove that they’re ready to compete for much more than a possible eight-seed playoff berth.
“I can’t play this game forever. I just turned 35 and I have a number in my head how long I want to play,” Wade said. “At the end of the day you want to be in a situation where it’s a competitor situation, whatever the case may be.”
Despite that, Wade was quick to clarify that he wasn’t a “ring chaser,” citing the three titles he won with the Heat as the major difference between his mentality and those of players who’ve never competed for a championship.
There have been positives to come out of the first few months of the 2016/17 campaign, however, as uncompetitive as the team has been at times.
“Obviously I’m not happy with being 22-23. Who would be? But there are things around here that I am happy with,” he said. “Obviously I’m happy with Jimmy Butler‘s growth and our relationship. I’m happy with the organization, how they’ve approached things, but I’m not happy with our record.”
This summer Wade will have the option to turn down a $23.8MM option for the 2017/18 campaign, but he insists he hasn’t concerned himself with it. Though the salary cap is slated to rise, bringing with it an influx of available money, the 35-year-old may not yield offers as weighty as the one he signed with Chicago.
Worth noting is that, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, no teams were willing to give the veteran a guaranteed third year in 2016.
Wade knew what he was getting into when he signed onto the Bulls. A team that is in the in between stage. A team that isn’t consistently a top 10 team in the NBA nor a team who is tanking. being middle of the road is the worst place to be and until the Bulls get a new Front Office, expect more of this same mediocrity
I’m pretty sure the Bulls thought they’d be competing this year when they signed Rondo and Wade…
Great job again by that miserable front office. They put this mess together and won’t be able to fix it.
The Bulls have a such a bad PG problem. Why not move Wade to the 1 and start McDermott?He and Butler could split PG duties on the court. Moving his off guard to PG worked for D’Antoni with Harden (who I know is an extremely different player and much better passer). Interesting to see if Wade can do a better job, all of the other Bulls’ PGs have been pitiful. Grant might prove me wrong though, he’s not as bad as Rondo or MCW.
i like the idea, hoiberg isnt very good though
Very true, at some point you have to look at the coaching staff and see it’s not working. I give him sympathies because this roster is not built for his style of play.
Ok so he’s saying he’s not a ring chaser and that may be true since he’s already won 3, the question is going to be whether he’s a money chaser because I doubt he will make 23 million next year if he opts out and signs somewhere else…
Doesn’t matter where he goes, he will either be called a ring chaser or people will critisize him for not going to a winning team.
People will never respect or understand star athletes
Trade Butler for a lottery pick, then get Wade and Rondo out of here.
one would hope..
if we happen to stay around .500 management wont blow the team up, theyre content w. an 8th seed and 1st round exit. because hey, chris bosh is an option for next year to try it all again.