Why Cavs Trading Dwyane Wade to Miami Heat Was a Great Deal for Everyone Involved
Saying that the Cleveland Cavaliers and leader LeBron James have had a rough year this season is definitely an understatement. If nothing else, reshuffling their roster in the middle of the season is a clear indicator of how hard things got over at the Cavs camp. In a surprise move, spicing up things also meant that the Cleveland team decided to send Dwyane Wade over to Miami Heat – but instead of an awkward moment, could this be one of the greatest moves we have seen this season for both the team and the player traded?
Cavs Suffered with Trade Decisions
The Cavs started the season with another surprise trade – they opted for sending one of their stars, Kyrie Irving, over to Boston. Irving was apparently tired of constantly playing in LeBron’s shadow and there is much confusion over whether James actually pushed for the trade or actively opposed it. In any case, the Cavs’ strategy did not have the impact they hoped for: after a rocky start, Kyrie Irving took it home game after game with the Boston Celtics and they saw an incredible development during the season. In fact, as of March 8, 2018, the Celtics stand fifth in line in NBA betting to win the coveted NBA Championship title at +1300, while the Cleveland team have fallen to third place at +850, giving up second place to the surprisingly formidable Houston Rockets.
Wade Joined the Cavs after Stellar Career in Miami
That move might have proven disastrous for the Cavs, but it left LeBron as the undisputed leading player in his team. And he lobbied for bringing over his teammate from the Miami Heat years, Dwyane Wade. Wade spent 13 years of his basketball career with the Miami team – it was the team that first drafted him back in 2003. He became an NBA All-Star 12 times while wearing the Heat jersey and won three NBA Championships with them, in 2006 (when he was also named the NBA Finals MVP), 2012 and 2013. He left in 2016 for the Chicago Bulls, feeling unappreciated by the Heat and its president, Pat Riley – but it is clear that eventually returning was in his mind all along.
Miami Heat Welcomes Wade Back
Wade feels at home in Miami and the Heat need him now more than ever. Even though his transfer to the Cavs had fans hoping for more, the chemistry on the Cleveland roster never quite lived up. With the deadline for trades fast approaching, Cleveland made a series of surprising moves that saw almost half the team traded off, in a bid to up their game for the rest of the season. Wade got sent to Miami in return for a protected second–round draft pick in 2024 – and he could not be happier. In his first game back with the Miami Heat, he received a standing ovation from fans, while even LeBron is supportive and respectful of his choice to return.
Although the Cavs are still struggling to find their way, it was a wise move to clear up their roster and make room for fresh talent to join the team already in this season. As for Wade, it seems that he got what he wished for – to return to his beloved Heat as a leader to finish off a truly glorious journey.
