The sudden turmoil between Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat that shocked the universe this summer came as a disappointment to many. The Heat, who were offering its star guard a 2-year deal worth $41 million, shockingly allowed Wade to bolt the franchise and accept the Chicago Bulls’ 2-year, $47 million offer during free agency’s first week.
It sent shockwaves across the league: Just days after Kevin Durant chooses to take his talents to the Golden State Warriors, Miami’s most loyal player in franchise history decides to head back home.
“I made a decision that was like, What?!”, Wade told SLAM Magazine. “We was already like, What?! when KD made his decision, so it was like, What?! What?!—like a double What!” Wade says. “I’m happy that he made his decision for himself, and myself the same. If you’re a supporter of mine, then you’re happy that I made the decision for me. Doesn’t mean you love it, but you’re happy for me.”
Wade, a three-time champion with the Heat who was drafted by the team in 2003, only had one teammate for the entire duration of his career in South Beach: Veteran big man Udonis Haslem.
For the first time in their careers, Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem will soon embark on their respective seasons without each other.
“I’m gonna miss him on the court when I talk sh*t,” Wade told SLAM Magazine. “I’m happy that he gets to continue his career in his hometown, but I’m gonna miss him. I’m gonna miss the sh*t out of him.”
Wade and Haslem, two of the longest tenured Miami Heat players in its storied franchise history, didn’t expect this kind of scenario to happen. For Wade was supposed to re-sign with the team and be back with Haslem for another campaign, quick and painless, early on in free agency.
“Dwyane wanted to feel like he was loved and respected more—that was important to him, as it should be,” Haslem told SLAM. “He never thought he’d leave Miami. Never. None of us could have envisioned it. Last year, he gambled on himself with a one-year deal and played really well. Going into this summer, he didn’t think it would be as much of a negotiation as usual. I think both sides expected the negotiation to be smoother.”
Wade and Haslem will always maintain a close off-the-court relationship, and will certainly carry that brotherhood once they decide to call it quits. Traveling the country for 13 years together, fighting through tough losses, and celebrating through victories are memories that cannot be erased.
What has been erased, albeit not permanently, is the thought of Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem hitting the hardwood as teammates anytime soon, proudly displaying “HEAT” across their chests as they’ve done for over a decade together.
The new-look Chicago Bulls will travel to Miami for the first time since Wade’s departure to take on the Heat on November 11th.
