This is what Dwyane Wade had to say after his Miami Heat were eliminated from the playoffs by the Boston Celtics:
“This will be my last first-round exit for a while, I can tell you that. I’m looking forward to continuing to build, and being with some great players next year, continuing to beef up our roster. I think I put myself in a great situation three years ago, to sign this deal, to make sure my team stayed competitive. We’ve got some work to do, the front office has [work] to do. You just have to see things being done, being accomplished. If we see that, we’ll be talking again.”
That doesn’t sound like someone who’s seriously considering a change of address.
We can forget about Wade, he’s made it pretty damn clear that he’s staying in Miami. Our focus should now be on Bosh and a second tier SG (ie. ones that we can afford). In the previous post DJ mentions some including Azubuike, Morrow, Korver, R. Bulter, or Gay. Getting Gay would obviously be my number one choice, but I think he is restricted and he’d command a salary probably greater than 10 mil. The Bulls will have about 24 mil in cap space. Under the CBA, FAs getting the max get 30% of the salary cap (56 mil) which would mean about 17 mil. Assuming we sign one max player, that would leave us with 7 million to play with, probably not enough to sign any of those players except maybe Korver or Bulter both of whom are not worth paying.
That is why we would’ve been in a much better situation if we traded Hinrich and he was off the books. If we want to add another good player on top of our max FA, we’ll have to do a sign and trade with Hinrich or Deng, but those guys won’t have much value this off season, unless we couple them with some of our young guns. Taj Gibson may be used as bait. Ty Thomas could’ve been used as bait, but the Bulls blew that too.
Actually can someone fill us in on how the sign and trade of max FAs works? From what I understand FAs can make more or sign for longer contracts with their current teams vs. signing with another team as a FA. Matt do you know how this works?
Awesome..well, I hope he has fun with Haslem and O’Neal as they both turn 52 and 47 respectively. Seriously Wade..who the f are u gonna get that’s gonna make ur team so scary? Ur team blows! Screw him..let’s go get Bosh and Gay and beat his sorry team down! I understand the whole wanting to stay with the team that drafted u, being loyal, but what’s to stay for in Miami? That automatic 20 and 10 Beasley?? Oh well, his loss..we’ll get Bosh, Gay and throw in Ray Allen for poops and giggles, lol
Forget about Gay… he is more of a SF (Deng’s position). Honestly, if we could do a sign and trade Luol for Gay, I am all for it. I am confident that Joe Johnson is a main focus. He is a good defender, long, athletic, and can put the ball in the hoop (ie Atlanta’s first option). I think Amare would be a great pickup for PF – He runs one of the greatest pick and rolls in the NBA (albeit with Nash), and could bear down on Defense once out of the Suns ‘run and gun’ system. Boozer and Bosh would be nice, but I think they have other places in mind (Bosh to Texas and Boozer to NY). I think after losing BG last season and Salmons this year, we need to get a solid SG and worry about the big man afterwards.
As for a max free agent contract. If Lebron stays in Cleveland (or Wade in Miami) they can sign a 6 year deal for the max amount – if they go to a different city they can only sign a 5 year deal. Also, Miami does not tax the money from a contract. So Miami will be a possible destination for someone greedy (Lebron, Boozer and Amare seem like they would go for it).
None of those guys (LeBron or Wade) will sign a max 5 or 6 year contract. They will most likely sign 3 years deals to keep putting the pressure on their respective teams to keep them a contender.
i don’t understand why we would have only 24M under the cap. luxury tax doesn’t start until the mid $60’s right? look at the salary’s of the teams still in the playoffs. all above 70M except hawks. i dont have the best understanding buy why is the luxury tax # diff. than the cap #?
For anyone who still holds out hope that DWade would ever come play in Chicago:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5165029
Yes, his estranged, soon-to-be-ex wife is based in Chicago. He is not going anywhere near that mess, not when he has Gabriel Union on his arm.
LBJ is my boy and he’s getting all the attention but what Wade does may be even more important this off season. After all he did win a championship with less talent on his team! Point to consider!!
I think there should also be some coaching changes. Avery Johnson head coach in Miami and Spoelstra back to the assistant if he will accept. Wade is the best player in the League and he needs talent around him from head coach to a new center like Bosh or Amare. They should also pursue Mikal Peitrus of the Orlando Magic and James Posey who helped the win a title. They definitley need a point guard also. Now that I think of it how did they need a complete rebuild. Please get rid of that Jermaine Oneal salaray. It has strangled them for two years. They could have had 3 good players for what they pay Jermaine Oneal. Peitrus only makes about 7 million (only lol) 1/3 of what J.O makes and is never healthy during the playoffs.
I think there should also be some coaching changes. Avery Johnson head coach in Miami and Spoelstra back to the assistant if he will accept. Wade is the best player in the League and he needs talent around him from head coach to a new big man like Bosh or Amare. They should also pursue Mikal Peitrus of the Orlando Magic and James Posey who helped the win a title. They definitley need a point guard also. Now that I think of it they need a complete rebuild. Please get rid of that Jermaine Oneal salaray. It has strangled them for two years. They could have had 3 good players for what they pay Jermaine Oneal. Peitrus in comparison only makes about 7 million (only lol) 1/3 of what J.O makes and is never healthy during the playoffs. These are who the Heat should go after beyond keeping Wade and Beasley.
Point – Devin Harris or Mike Conley would be cheaper (Harris may cost too much though)
Swingman – Mikal Peitrus or James Posey if not both they defend well and can shoot threes. Something Miami lacks.
Big man – Amare or Bosh and consdier Boozer with Boozer you will need a nother big man as well. Bosh or Amare would work well with what they got.
-PS had to correct some things in my last post..
These are who the Heat should go after beyond keeping Wade and Beasley.
Point – Devin Harris or Mike Conley would be cheaper (Harris may cost too much though)
Swingman – Mikal Peitrus or James Posey if not both they defend well and can shoot threes. Something Miami lacks.
Big man – Amare or Bosh and consdier Boozer with Boozer you will need a nother big man as well. Bosh or Amare would work well with what they got.
PS- yes this is the same brandon