Pat Riley Wants Dwyane Wade Back with Heat 'As a Player'

Miami Heat president Pat Riley said Friday he'd like future Hall of Fame guard Dwyane Wade to return for the 2018-19 season and noted the organization is willing to wait on a decision.

Riley explained the Heat decided it's best to give Wade "some more time" while he decides whether to sign another NBA contract.

"I want him back as a player," he told reporters. "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."

Wade started last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the Cavs sent him back to Miami before the February 8 trade deadline.

The 36-year-old Chicago native averaged 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while shooting just 40.9 percent from the field across 21 contests with the Heat after the deal.

Dwyane Wade Game Highlights

In April, Wade stated he wasn't prepared to announce whether he would retire or play another year in the NBA.

"That's not my focus," he said. "Fresh off this NBA season, my 15th year, I sit back and think about that. Then I dive and throw myself into my family. They're next on my bucket list, making sure I'm there for them. And when it comes to the basketball side of it, which is a long time away from now, then I'll think about that."

Wade spent the first 13 of those 15 years with the Heat before stints with the Chicago Bulls and Cavaliers. It's unclear whether he'd consider playing for a team other than Miami.

Meanwhile, there have also been rumors about his being offered a three-year, $25 million contract by the Chinese Basketball Association's Zhejiang Golden Bulls.

Wade hasn't provided a timetable for an announcement about his future, and Riley's comments illustrate the Heat won't try to speed up the process.