Dwyane Wade has informed the Bulls that he will pick up his player option for next season, Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago reports (link via Twitter). Wade’s option for 2017/18 is worth $23.8MM.
[RELATED: NBA Player Option Decisions For 2017/18]
Wade, who will turn 36 next January, remains productive, but is coming off a season in which his numbers reached their lowest point since his rookie year. The 14-year veteran averaged 18.3 PPG with a career-low .434 FG% in 60 games for Chicago, failing to earn an All-Star nod for the first time since 2003/04.
Given his declining production, Wade would have had a very hard time finding an offer on the open market that would pay him anything close to the value of his option with the Bulls, so it’s no surprise that he’ll exercise it.
Interestingly, Wade’s decision comes at a time when the Bulls are reportedly becoming more open to the possibility of trading Jimmy Butler. Reports have indicated that Wade has little interest in going through a rebuild, so if Chicago does blow up its roster by moving Butler in the coming days, it’s not out of the question that the team could look to move Wade as well — though his salary would make him a tricky trade chip.
For the time being, Wade is on track to return to a roster that features Butler and Rajon Rondo for at least one more year.
Luke Adams contributed to this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Not surprised. He would be an idiot to turn it down. I don’t think he’d get anything near that on the open market this off season
Should’ve turned it down
He’ll take a buyout later in the season. Smart and obvious move to take the money
Boooooo
This is only good if he’s the 6th man. Otherwise, it sucks.
Wade turns 36 in January. He’s getting older and more injury prone then ever but can still help teams out–not at this price or anywhere near it. Smart taking the money. He likes Chicago too- and I think Chicago likes him so that’s a bonus
Another year of mediocrity
As a Bulls fan, definitely not happy, but I can’t be mad at the guy. I reserve that sentiment for this moronic front office.
Shouldn’t Miami have rewarded him with this 2 year albatross of a contract the bulls signed him for? He’s a hall of gamer but now at soon to be 36 he’s well past his prime. Stuck in the abyss of mediocrity garpax can’t be trusted to get as they say younger and more athletic which is oppo of Wade. Trading Butler a year too late is managements strength when it comes to their inability to judge the market judge talent or comprise a championship roster but when it comes to mediocrity and limping into the play odd as an 8 seed which further moves your draft slot down the board then they are your guys! Rutterless and clueless comes to mind but I just can’t decide who fits these terms, gar or pax or both? Both ? That’s what I thought. For the lemmings that keep filling the seats you are not helping matters
You answered your own question. The Heat did the right thing in letting him walk, even if they may not have handled it in the best way