LeBron James on Dwyane Wade Trade from Cavaliers to Heat: I Hated to See Him Go

Nearly two months after the Cleveland Cavaliers traded future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade to the Miami Heat, LeBron James commented on the decision Tuesday.

James and Wade have long been close, and LeBron told ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin that it was tough to see his friend leave prior to the trade deadline:

"I mean, I hated to see him go. I still do. I still do. So, my emotions was mixed because that's my guy and I didn't want him to go but, I mean, listen, I felt like that's where he belongs. I felt like that's where his heart has always been, even in the one year in Chicago.

"I just felt like that's where he belonged. I mean, you want to be as happy as you can when you're in this profession, and I felt like Miami is the best place that creates happiness for him. So, I hated to see him go, I wish he was still here, but I understand. That's why there's no hard feelings."

Wade spent the first 13 years of his career with the Heat before playing one season with the Chicago Bulls and part of another with the Cavs.

D-Wade primarily came off the bench in Cleveland and averaged 11.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 46 games.

The Cavaliers were mired in a slump leading up to the deadline, though, and it was clear they needed to significantly shake up their roster.

Wade was one of several players whom the Cavs shipped out, including Derrick Rose, Jae Crowder, Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert.

They brought in the likes of Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Rodney Hood and George Hill.

Although the Cavaliers have had an up-and-down season, they may once again be the favorites in the Eastern Conference despite being third with a record of 44-29.

The second-place Boston Celtics are currently without guard Kyrie Irving because of a knee injury, and Cleveland beat the first-place Toronto Raptors, 132-129, last week.

In four seasons together in Miami, LeBron and Wade made the NBA Finals four times and won a pair of championships.

Wade has been productive during his second stint with the Heat, as he is averaging 13.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in just under 23 minutes per contest.

Miami is eighth in the Eastern Conference at 39-35, but a first-round tilt with the Cavs is possible if it can move up a couple of spots in the standings by the end of the season.