NBA Free Agency Watch: The Top Three Destinations For Dwyane Wade
This is what the NBA summer of 2010 is all about. Along with LeBron, Dwyane Wade is the only other player who can alter the orbit of nearly a dozen franchises and the hope of millions of fans around the Association this offseason.
Even though only a few teams can realistically even dream about signing LeBron and Wade, nearly every other dollar of available cap space hinges on where they go.
The other major prizes of the summer, the Joe Johnsons (here) , Chris Bosh's (here) , and Carlos Boozers (here) , all depend on LeBron and Wade to either open up the door as a future teammate, or to cause frantic scrambling among runner-ups now in need of a consolation prize.
I had a conversation with my brother-in-law the other day about Wade. He's a relative newcomer to the NBA universe, and he was wondering where Wade ranks in the pantheon of current basketball stars, what makes him tick, and what all the general hubbub is about.
My explanation to him sums it up rather nicely, I think:
"LeBron James is the most physically gifted and dominating player in the league. He can get to the basket whenever he wants, and is one of the best passers around.
Kobe Bryant still has to be considered—despite the last two debacles in Oklahoma City—the best closer in the game, who also uses his drive, experience, and superior defensive abilities to remain an elite player. Kevin Durant has the most current upside and pure scoring abilities of any superstar out there.
Dwyane Wade is a compilation of all the above qualities.
While Wade doesn't necessarily display these individual attributes in as much quantity or for the longevity that the other three players do, it is his ability to bring out any one of them at the right moment that includes him in the same conversation each and every season."
Unlike LeBron, Wade already a has ring. Unlike Kobe, Wade has a fairly flawless reputation as a teammate. Unlike Durant, Wade already has the NBA body and handle to be both a facilitator and finisher.
It's easy to see why any team that misses out on LeBron probably won't shed more than half a tear if they end up with "Flash" instead. If the two wind up together, then, heaven help us all.
In descending order, here are the top three destinations for Wade this summer:
OK, OK. I know that this is now the fourth time in four articles that the Bulls have appeared on my summer free agency series.
It's not that I've run out of ideas, it's just that they really do have the cap space, big market, and "no assembly required" roster necessary to just lure a major free agent and go from there.
They've got all the attributes that Wade has indicated are important to him, along with many of the things that Miami can't offer right now, except for the weather and nightlife of course.
Rather than repeat the point ad naseum, we'll move on in expedient fashion.
If you've missed out on my discussions of Chicago as a destination, you can find plenty of good info in my previous articles concerning Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh, and Carlos Boozer. They are linked above, or can be found as a collection here.
A few sports personalities have wishfully advocated the Clippers as an underrated landing spot for LeBron. As of now, that possibility seems highly unlikely, at best.
Why hasn't anyone discussed Los Angeles' "other" team in connection with the summer's "other" prize?
While Wade is already sitting pretty in these departments, the Clippers have a lot to offer when it comes to media exposure and marketing deals. They also have the potential to add a coach according to Wade's wishes, while flanking him with the most talented supporting cast since his 2006 NBA championship with the Heat.
There are a couple of interesting possibilities that could make this happen:
Depending on how the Clippers handle the offseason, they could have just enough cap room to sign Wade outright.
If you were the Heat, and were about to lose Wade for nothing, wouldn't you feel a whole lot better receiving Eric Gordon and a first-round pick(s) in a sign-and-trade exchange? What about Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan to rebuild alongside Michael Beasley instead?
Both of those are plausible deals that would clear enough cap space to facilitate any further moves, while still reserving a nucleus of Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, and Blake Griffin to play alongside Wade.
If the Clippers could also re-sign Travis Outlaw, they'd boast a multi-dimensional starting five on par with any Western Conference contender, and one that would arguably place them on the same pedestal as the Lakers.
If I'm Dwyane Wade, I listen to a Clippers' pitch and its opportunity to play conquering hero with the same interest as a Chicago offer. I probably even think about it for a few seconds longer than the next two...
A few of the Nets' faithful—of course, there only are a few, but I digress—have already called me out for not having listed New Jersey during this series. They have pointed to the fact that, while the Nets may lack the cap space to sign two max-salary free agents, they also do have a better starting foundation to build on than the Knicks.
While it's true that Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, and Co. do trump Danillo Gallinari and whoever else remains in New York next season, the lights still shine a little brighter from the Manhattan side.
Any max-contract player who signs with New York this summer is doing so with the hopes that another is also on the way. They're banking on the marketing and legacy bonuses that come from playing in the Big Apple.
And, in comparison to the Nets, they realize the edge in ownership and location stability that the Knicks can provide. Yes, I did just connect James Dolan and the words "ownership stability" in the same sentence. I feel funny about that too.
Things may change for the Nets after they've been in the Bronx for a few seasons, and if their potential Russian super-owner pans out. For now though, the Knicks still have the money, the coaching, and the history to win that off-court rivalry every time.
If Wade is the only max signing for the Knicks this summer, they'll surely use the rest of the money to re-sign David Lee and bring in a handful of other third-tier and supporting players to go along with Gallinari. At that point, Wade’s supporting cast is still a little better than his current one.
If "Flash" arrives in New York along with LeBron, Bosh, Boozer, or even Stoudemire, it's unlikely he would end up ever regretting his departure from the Heat.
4. Miami Heat (conditional)
And yet, with a creative offseason that might require jettisoning Michael Beasley, the Heat could realistically acquire a second max-player of their own to pair with Wade.
At that point, the loyalty factor, along with finally seeing a legitimate step forward, should be more than enough to tip the scales in favor of a Wade return.
Miami has been living in the hangover of their 2006 championship for four seasons now. While they at least are showing a little life against the Boston Celtics, it’s hard to currently perceive them as doing anything more than idling in neutral as a franchise.
They better do something this offseason to convince Wade that their championship hunt is shifting back into high gear. Otherwise, there are a lot of other teams out there who can and who will.Trust me on this one. After all, I am a doctor.
- "Dr. Trade"
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