Bulls Rumors

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.”