Shortly after Dwyane Wade committed to picking up his $23.8MM option for the 2017/18 season, the Bulls decided to rebuild their roster, trading Jimmy Butler and cutting Rajon Rondo. While Wade is the last player standing out of Chicago’s “three alphas” from last season, no buyout is imminent, and head coach Fred Hoiberg doesn’t believe one is coming, writes Nick Friedell of ESPN.com.
“As of right now, no. I don’t see that,” Hoiberg said of a possible Wade buyout.
Hoiberg’s stance on the matter echoes that of executive VP John Paxson, who addressed the issue in a press conference last month when the team introduced its newly-acquired players from the Butler deal. Asked about a buyout, Paxson said that any arrangement with Wade “would absolutely have to benefit” the franchise.
As Friedell notes, there’s a “widespread belief” among team officials that Wade won’t be willing to give up enough of his $23.8MM salary to make a move worthwhile for the Bulls. It’s possible that the two sides explore that possibility later in the offseason, or after February’s trade deadline, but Hoiberg indicated he’d like to see Wade stick around and provide veteran leadership for a team that has gotten younger this offseason.
“Dwyane, he’s going to have an important role on this team as a mentor,” Hoiberg said. “He’s going to obviously play for us and hopefully play well. And take the role of leadership; it’s going to be very important with him.”
They didn’t really trade Rajon Rondo
Left out a word there, fixed now.
A buyout is going to happen eventually whether it’s before the season or during the trade deadline
Yeah but I don’t see why. He didn’t have to opt in, so isn’t it his loss and he should just play out the season?
Oh wait he opted in before they cut Rondo and traded Butler never mind
Yeah D-Wade assumed that Butler and Rondo would be back and had no idea the team would decide to start rebuilding
Come on, you seriously believe that? Wade just wants to get PAID at this point. He’s done chasing championships. I can see him playing one more year with LeBron in Houston next year.
I agree. It was about the 23 million. Playing at home in Chicago nice salary ….I don’t think if he declined he would have got this much money playing on a winner.
It’s a good situation for him. Face of the franchise, good man in the community.
Yeah Wade was very smart to opt-in before the deadline for him to make his decision. Now there isn’t much backlash, even though he pretty much knew what he was getting himself into. Collect those checks D Wade, I’m not hating
It’s pretty similar to the one year deal JJ Redick signed with the 6ers. He got $23M. Must be nice. Can’t blame Wade for opting in and don’t kid yourself he had a pretty good idea Jimmy Butler and Rajon were on their way out. The Butler rumors have been going on for 2 years. He knew they needed to rebuild but he wanted his $23M. Could see him work a buyout settlement after Feb or maybe he just plays the year out. Next year LaBron can’t take everyone with him. If it’s Paul George and LaBron in LA I don’t see how DW and all these other players we hear about could possibly fit on a team like LA who will not want to renounce their young players like Ingram, Ball, Randle etc…
It’s just Lakers fans that think every free agent ever is going to sign with them…but who have they actually landed? Luol Deng? TIMOFEY MOZGOV! METTA! COREY BREW MASTER!
Wade will collect his checks probably miss a third or so of season games due to his NBA body breaking down etc, not sure if he will be able to take the losing while keeping quiet about but 23 mil is nice leadership incentive. It’s just more fluff and spin from the LEMMINGS leadership! I am all in on a rebuild just can’t get a handle on why they needed to give minny our first round pick back for butler ? They are a year too late on rebuild options but let the rebuild continue so we can expose the inability of garpax to evaluate talent and hopeful get new GM hired because Forman is on very thin ice PTL and may not make it to opening day