Dwyane Wade, a three-time NBA champion with Miami, is set to join his hometown Chicago Bulls following 13 seasons with the Heat.
The 34-year-old free agent and 12-time all star reportedly baulked at a two-year, $40 million (Dh 146.93 million) deal from the only franchise he has known. His new deal will reportedly pay him $47.5 million over two years, with a player option in year two.
Heat owner Micky Arison wished Wade good luck with his new team Wednesday night on Twitter.
The Heat no doubt figured Wade was expendable as injuries -- especially knee problems -- have cut down his playing time over the last few seasons. This past season he played a career low 30.5 minutes a game and averaged 19.0 points per game, which equalled his lowest total since his rookie season in 2003-04. He was also reportedly upset with Miami making a priority of trying to re-sign Hassan Whiteside and attempting to woo Kevin Durant from Oklahoma City.
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Wade has made over $300 million (Dh 1.1 billion) in a career during which he teamed with LeBron James and Chris Bosh to championships in 2012 and 2013 after first winning one with Shaquille O’Neal in 2006.
Before reports surfaced about Wade going to Chicago, he had been linked to the Denver Nuggets, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wade, who played on the 2008 US Olympic gold medal team of NBA stars, has never been the Heat’s top-paid player.
The Denver Nuggets reportedly pitched as much as $52 million (Dh 191 million) for two years while Bulls guard Rajon Rondo and Jimmy Butler had been pushing for Wade to come play for his hometown club.
Reaction from players around the league was one of surprise.
"Wow!!! Never would have imagine that...," tweeted DeMarre Carroll of the Toronto Raptors.
Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers said: "CONGRATS MY BROTHER!!!!"
Mavs add Barnes
The Mavericks signed free agent forward Harrison Barnes to a four-year, $94 million (Dh 345 million) maximum contract as soon as the rules allowed, with a lighthearted poke at the drama that cost them DeAndre Jordan last year.
Dallas owner Mark Cuban tweeted a picture shortly after the NBA’s moratorium ended at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Thursday showing the former Golden State player playfully handcuffed to president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson, with both smiling.
It was actually still late Wednesday night in Barnes’ hometown of Ames, Iowa, where the signing took place. The photo included a smiling coach Rick Carlisle pointing to the contract, along with assistant vice president Michael Finley, a former Maverick.
On the last day before signings could become official a year ago, the Mavericks lost out on Jordan when the centre backed out on an agreement with Dallas and stayed with the Los Angeles Clippers. A contingent led by coach Doc Rivers descended on Jordan’s Houston home and stayed with him until he signed.
After missing out on Memphis guard Mike Conley and Miami centre Whiteside this year, the Mavericks worked a deal with Barnes as a restricted free agent, with the possibility of the Warriors matching. But that changed when Golden State got a commitment from Durant and would have to renounce the rights to Barnes to create room under the salary cap.
Dallas is also getting Andrew Bogut from Golden State in a trade also sparked by cap needs over the Durant agreement. The NBA must still approve that deal.
Suns sign Barbosa
The Phoenix Suns have agreed to a two-year contract with Brazilian guard Leandro Barbosa to return to the franchise, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
The deal is for $4 million (Dh 14.69 million) each year with $500,000 guaranteed for the second year, according to the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal had not been officially announced.
It means Barbosa will receive either $8 million for two years or $4.5 million for one year if the Suns decide not to keep him the second year.
The 33-year-old Brazilian spent his first seven NBA seasons with Phoenix and was back with the Suns in 2013-14. He played a reserve role for the Golden State Warriors the past two seasons.
He is the second player returning to the Suns after playing elsewhere. Jared Dudley has agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract. They add a veteran presence to an exceedingly young roster.
Barbosa has played for five NBA teams and has averaged 11 points per game in his career. He was part of Golden State’s NBA championship team in 2014-15. His best season was with Phoenix in 2006-07, when he averaged 18.1 points and won the NBA’s Sixth Man award.
Warriors hire Mike Brown as assistant to replace Luke Walton
The Golden State Warriors have hired former Cleveland and Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown as an assistant on coach Steve Kerr’s staff.
The Warriors announced Wednesday that Brown will replace Luke Walton, who left to become the Lakers’ coach.
Brown has a 347-216 career record in eight seasons. He took the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007 and won Coach of the Year in 2008-09 after helping Cleveland win 66 games.
Brown was also an assistant in San Antonio when Kerr played for the Spurs.
Golden State also signed second-round pick Patrick McCaw. McCaw was selected 38th overall in last month’s draft by Milwaukee before the Warriors bought his rights for about $2.4 million.
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