Caron Butler Tells TMZ Dwyane Wade Considered Lakers, Thunder Before Cavs

Former NBA player Caron Butler told TMZ that Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dwyane Wade considered the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers as potential destinations after his buyout from the Chicago Bulls.

Butler noted that, while the pair were having dinner, Wade revealed that he wanted to retire in Miami. He added that Wade considered Oklahoma City given the team's need for a solid scorer off the bench and Los Angeles given his wife Gabrielle Union's career as an actress.

In Cleveland, Wade will begin the season as the starter at shooting guard alongside James, Kevin Love, Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose.

While that group could change once Isaiah Thomas returns from injury—Tristan Thompson could move back to the starting center position, bumping Love to his more natural power forward position, while the team might decide J.R. Smith is a better fit in the backcourt with Thomas—Wade is expected to play a big role in Cleveland.

The 35-year-old averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 29.9 minutes per game last season with the Chicago Bulls, appearing in 60 games. But with the Bulls trading Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason, ushering in a rebuilding phase, Wade's departure was inevitable.

Of the teams he reportedly considered, reuniting with James arguably gives him the best chance to capture his fourth title.