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The Ripple Effects Of Dwyane Wade Signing With The Chicago Bulls

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 22, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Heat defeated the Pelicans 113-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Heat defeated the Pelicans 113-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dwyane Wade
Apr 7, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) dribbles the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) defends during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bulls

Taking emotion out of the equation, however, Wade leaving the Heat might be a good thing for Miami. Though the 34-year-old had a healthy 2015-16 season, averaging 19.0 points, 4.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game in 74 appearances, his game is still noticeably on the decline.

As a career 28.4 percent shooter from three-point territory, Wade has never added the range to his jumper necessary for his game to age gracefully as the athleticism and quickness begin to wane. Wade’s scoring numbers were his lowest since his rookie season, and his 45.6 percent shooting was a career-worst.

For a player who’s already had multiple knee surgeries, joining a Chicago Bulls team that’s struggled to keep its players healthy over the years is a slightly worrisome proposition.

Chicago has been busy this offseason, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. Ending the problematic Derrick Rose–Jimmy Butler union by trading Rose for Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant was perfectly fine, even if it was an emotional decision that ended a heartbreaking and nostalgic era for Bulls fans.

Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol also left in free agency, leaving Chicago with cap space and decisions to make in regards to very clear needs at the point guard position. The Bulls’ first move was the head scratching decision to award Rajon Rondo a two-year, $28 million contract, pairing Butler with yet another point guard who needs the ball in his hands to be effective.

This Wade contract is a nice reunion between an NBA legend who hails from Robbins, IL, and basically his hometown, but it’s hardly a good fit from any perspective other than pure star power. And, well, this too:

Not only do Wade and Butler play the same position, thus moving Butler to the 3-spot for next season, but Rondo, Wade and Butler ALL need the ball in their hands to be effective.

Throw in the fact that Butler — a career 32.8 percent shooter from downtown — is the best three-point shooter of the group and you have to wonder how on earth Chicago is going to establish any kind of adequate floor-spacing. Wade shot an atrocious 15.9 percent from deep last season, while Rondo’s 36.5 percent marked a career high (by far).

This deal is really all about selling tickets amidst an ugly rebuild, and hoping he can help with that process in free agency…though it’s troubling/hilarious that Wade’s contract has a player option for 2017-18.

The whole point of bringing in Fred Hoiberg to replace Tom Thibodeau was to revamp the offense with spacing and three-point shooting while trying to keep that gritty defense intact. How is that supposed to happen if none of Chicago’s primary guards can shoot?

Trading Jose Calderon and Mike Dunleavy in order to clear space for Wade is no biggie, with neither departing player being intrinsic to whatever kind of rebuild the front office is planning.

But with the arrival of Wade, one has to wonder if the Bulls are planning on dealing Butler as well — and if they aren’t, what the hell they’re doing in general.

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