The Cleveland Cavaliers have continued their roster makeover on Trade Deadline day, shipping Dwyane Wade back to the Miami Heat for a protected second-round draft pick. The deal was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter:
Cleveland is trading Dwyane Wade to Miami, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Dwyane Wade Back to Miami Heat
One of LeBron James‘ closest teammates, Wade was considered expendable after the Cavaliers executed a major shakeup of their backcourt.
The Cavs brought in Rodney Hood and George Hill in a three-way deal with the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings as well as Jordan Clarkson in a separate trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. Wade, Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Rose, and Iman Shumpert have all vacated Cavs revamped backcourt.
The Heat will bring back a franchise icon in Wade, who is a Free Agent at the end of the season.
Wade is Miami’s franchise leader in points (20,221), assists (4,944), steals (1,414), and games played (855). He also won three NBA championships with the Heat (2006, 2012, 2013). But he is perhaps best known for the 2006 title run where he won Finals MVP.
The 12-time all-star will join a Heat team pushing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, currently holding down the seventh seed.
After struggling to make a positive impact for the Cavs this season, the 36-year-old Wade is nearing the end of the line in what has been a hall-of-fame caliber career.
It remains to be seen if Wade will finish his career with the Heat this season, or look to sign a new deal for next year either to remain in Miami or elsewhere.
Main Photo:
Dwyane Wade (Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Erik Drost)
