Dwyane Wade has reached an agreement with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a one-year $2.3 million contract, according to The Vertical's Shams Charania.
Wade was always expected to reunite with LeBron James ever since reaching a buyout agreement with the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, despite the fact that other teams like the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs could offer more money.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the 35-year old 3x NBA champion hasn't ruled out the idea of a future return to Miami, although his priority right now is to put himself in the best position to win another NBA title. Aligning himself with LeBron James once again in a weakened Eastern Conference certainly gives Wade the best opportunity to do just that.
Wade will have to wait until he clears waivers on Wednesday to officially sign with Cleveland but the agreement has been reached.
Wade averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 60 games last season with the Bulls, and will now join a new look Cavs roster that includes Derrick Rose, Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder, not to mention familiar faces like JR Smith, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. Isaiah Thomas won't be ready for the start of the NBA season, which tips off in about three weeks, but the team is hopeful he'll be ready to rock by January.
Tristan Thompson expects Wade to fit seamlessly into the Cavs' lineup. Per ESPN,
"He's pretty familiar with most of the guys on our team, whether playing against or playing with. I think he's going to jell pretty well. He's a veteran, he's always been a good locker room guy. We've never heard anything bad," Thompson said.
"It would be great for our team to have another championship-mentality player on our team. It's just more pieces to the puzzle."
The Cavs will open up the 2017 NBA season at home on opening night, October 17th, against Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and the Boston Celtics. It will mark the start of both LeBron James' and Dwyane Wade's 15th season in the league, as they look to capture their third NBA championship together.
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