Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade is currently on the crossroads of his career. At age 36, he is not the competitor he was before, but there are teams who would like to see him in their jersey; of course, if Wade still wants to play basketball.
Heat’s president Pat Riley has no doubts that he would like to see Dwyane Wade returning to Miami for another year and is willing to give the player more time to think about his future.
“I think it’s best that we give him some more time,” – said Riley when asked about chances that Wade will play his 16th NBA season with Miami.
Heat can offer Dyane Wade a contract worth up to $5.3 million a year, but that would see the team’s tax going up significantly. Still, Pat Riley is ready to pay the price since he thinks Wade has a lot more to give. In 21 games played for Miami last season, Wade averaged 12.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
“I want him back as a player,” – Riley said. “I want him back as a competitor. I want him back as a guy who wants to have the greatest year he ever had as a player. I read more articles about ‘Dwyane being done, he’s lost a step, he’s not the same player, he might not have the same motivation.’ But I still see a player who can contribute heavily if he really wants to.”
If Dwyane Wade decides he still wants to play basketball, Miami Heat are not his only option. He recently received a three-year, $2 5 million offer to play in China for Zhejiang Golden Bulls. It wouldn’t be a great surprise if Wade were to accept the offer, considering the fact he has signed has signed a lifetime deal with Chinese apparel company Li Ning.
