Dwayne Wade was a free agent this past summer and will be a free agent again next summer after signing a one-year $20 million deal. Reports came out that re-signing Wade was not exactly as sure a thing as everyone had assumed, but the deal was eventually agreed upon and Wade will be playing his 13th season in Miami. Wade has now expressed his desire to finish his career where it started in Miami, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
There have been rumors of Wade leaving the Heat for a few years now, but that's all they were. Wade was linked to his hometown team the Chicago Bulls and has also been linked to the New York Knicks in the past. Wade was in New York last weekend for the New York Jets opening game against the Cleveland Browns, and he was seen wearing a Brandon Marshall jersey, which caused some Heat fans to get a little nervous. Wade, though, said that he is very good friends with Marshall and to not read into it.
"I don't know why people in Florida like to test my faith in my belief and my love for Miami because I wear a jersey to a game. I have done everything I can from a basketball standpoint, to help this town be successful and I will continue to do that. The heart is there, the love is there. Don't question my loyalty, you all," said Wade.
Wade has said that he is extremely happy with the team the Miami organization has put together this year, which will certainly be helpful in retaining the superstar. Not only are the Heat built to win now, but they also added some young talent, which Wade is a fan of. Justise Winslow could be a massive steal at pick 10 in the draft, and the Heat are very high on second round pick Josh Richardson, so the Heat sustaining success over the long-term seems attainable.
As for how Wade is feeling heading into training camp, he said he is in very good basketball shape and thinks that having a year off from the playoffs should only help heading into the 2015-16 season. The Heat should be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference this year, which is great news for their fans, but the fact that Wade has publicly said he wants to finish his career in Miami may be even better news.
