Dwyane Wade‘s exit meeting with the Bulls finally took place Saturday, relays K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. Wade talked briefly with management after the team was eliminated from the playoffs in late April, and both sides agreed to wait a few weeks for the official meeting.
A source told Johnson the meeting was “positive” and touched on several subjects, including the possible makeup of next year’s team.
Wade has a June 27th deadline to decide whether to opt out of his $23.8MM salary for next season. The Bulls haven’t put any pressure on Wade to make his choice earlier and are preparing for him to opt in, according to Johnson.
Wade said during the season that the prospects for the team would determine his future in Chicago, along with family and financial considerations. The Bulls rallied late in the year to finish 41-41 and claim the final playoff spot, but were eliminated in the first round by Boston.
Wade, who spent 13 years in Miami before signing with Chicago last summer, played 60 games during his first season with the Bulls, averaging 18.3 points per night.
Management held a similar meeting last week with Jimmy Butler, who has been the subject of on-and-off trade rumors over the past year. There is a feeling in Chicago that Wade will only return to the team if Butler stays.
“Jimmy is, you know, a huge component in me being here,” Wade said at an April 29th press conference. “You know, what’s his future like? But at the end of the day it is a me decision. Everyone knows that Jimmy’s my guy, and I’m here because of our conversation [last summer]. But a lot of it depends on the whole big picture. Jimmy’s a big piece, but it’s a big picture as an organization. As players, with player options, I want it smack dead in my face of how it’s gonna be, what their thought of my role or position could be here — all of it.”
Run it back one more year with Rondo,Wade, and Butler and add Blake Griffin.
lol
Have you not been paying attention? You need guys at every position who can shoot 3s and run the court. The Bulls were the worst 3-or shooting team in the NBA last year, and adding Griffin does nothing except add another guy who needs the ball in his hands to be effective.
We have great outside shooters, too bad all our games are indoors!:)
Just do something that makes any sort of logical sense, GarPax
You’re asking way too much of them.
Wade will opt out, go join Lebron for the veterans minimum and retire
He’d take the MLE to at least get a few million if he went that route.
He said he doesn’t care about chasing any rings, anymore. He’s in it for the $$$$$$$$. Which means he’s, unfortunately for Bulls fans, staying in Chicago to cash in. If he leaves, no one of giving this guy more than $8 million, and he’d be coming off the bench.
hope we trade jimmy. love jimmy, but still would prefer the rebuild.
that makes ah lot of since dude.. lol… please don’t speak it into existence…I have seeing lebron in the finals every year. .
… but he’s not gonna take minimum…
Come back to Miami pls
There’s no way he doesn’t take the money, if he wanted to play with his buddy Lebron he wouldn’t have come to the Bulls in the first place. He’s got his rings so collecting bank is all he’s worried about. Plus he can join Lebron after next season if he still has anything left.
Bulls roster around Butler and Wade is bad, and their coach is even worse. Should be interesting to see what happens. They obviously need to add shooting/help at the guard/wing spots, and that help is increased after they got rid of McDermott, having never used him right anyway. They also obviously need more consitency from Mirotic, if he stays, as he is terrible defenaivwly and needs to be productive to be playable.
I have to think Wade stays for that money, or I can see him end up with the Spurs. As a Heat fan, I really, really wish he was still here, but I don’t think it’s time yet for him to come back. After this season, or maybe after a buyout during the season fits a lot better for both
He would be stupid to opt out of his 23+ I don’t see him getting anything Close to that on the open market with all his injuries
Put him on the Joel Embiid playment plan. No back to backs. 28 minutes a game Max. Save those knees for any type of playoff run. If you had a couple of those oldhead guys and you just played them every other game with your youngbloods you’d get the most blood out of the stone.
How about a trade of Butler to the TWolves for the 7th pick and other pieces (Tyus Jones or Kris Dunn, Jordan Hill/Nemanji Bjlecia). Then Wade opts out and signs with the Wolves. Play small ball.
Rubio, Wade, Wiggins, Butler, KAT
Lavine and Dieng off the bench.