Dwyane Wade is expected to make his season debut with the Miami Heat tonight as the team hosts the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena. In case you've been sleeping for the past 24 hours, the Heat acquired Wade at the NBA trade deadline yesterday in exchange for a protected 2024 second round draft pick.
Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union took to social media after the trade was complete to address Heat fans, who are clearly overjoyed that the 36-year old point guard is returning to South Beach. According to ESPN's Darren Rovell, the Miami Heat received orders from more than 100 countries in 15 hours after the Dwyane Wade trade and team merchandise sales are up 8000% from the previous two days.
The Heat drafted Wade out of Marquette with the fifth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and he stayed with the team up until the end of the 2015-16 season, winning three NBA titles along the way.
Heat President Pat Riley described yesterday's trade as "a beautiful moment" for the team, as well as the city of Miami and Heat fans everywhere.
“We feel that Dwyane can help our team in so many ways,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “It is a beautiful moment for us, for the city and for the fans. All of us embrace it in the manner that we want to win and that’s why we brought Dwyane back home. We look forward to having a great end of season run as we fight for the playoffs.”