Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem spent 13 seasons on the Miami Heat together, winning championships in 2006, 2012 and 2013. Two former teammates who remain close friends to this day, Haslem continues to hold hopes that Wade will one day re-sign with the team that drafted him.
Following from Tom D’Angelo of the Palm Beach Post:
On Saturday, Haslem reiterated his desire to see Wade return to Miami, the city where he played his first 13 years in the NBA before bolting for Chicago. Wade exercised the option in his contract this summer and will earn $23.8 million. But speculation began immediately of a buyout that would allow the 35-year-old Wade to sign with any other team.
“I would love to have him back, everybody knows that,” Haslem said. “Not only is he a great competitor, great teammate I learned a lot from but also a friend of mine, I consider him a brother.
“I just want Dwyane to be happy. This is the last lap for us both. We deserve to finish it the right way. Whatever makes him happy finishing his career. … hopefully it’s in Miami. I would love for it to be Miami. I want him to finish it right and have no regrets.
Haslem and Wade joined the Heat in 2003 and played together for the next 13 seasons. They remain close friends despite Wade’s decision last summer to sign with his hometown team.
“We talked about finishing our careers together,” Haslem said. “We really want it to be the case. Plans change. So if it doesn’t happen it doesn’t put any strain on our relationship but it’s still a goal of mine. Hopefully we can end it that way.”
Wade is expected to reach a buyout agreement with the Bulls in the coming weeks, which, assuming he won’t be claimed, would allow him to become a free agent and sign with any team he chooses.
The Cavaliers, Heat, and Suns would have interest in signing him if he hits the open market.
