We all knew it was coming. Well, it was definitely the most likely scenario. According to Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago, Dwyane Wade has informed the Bulls that he will pick up his player option for next season.
Sources: Bulls were informed by Dwyane Wade that he's picking up his option for next season. Story to come
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) June 20, 2017
Wade’s choice was a fairly easy one. He and his family have settled back in his hometown, and relocating again didn’t seem like something he wanted to do. On top of that, there’s no way Wade would’ve found any offers close to the $23.8 million the Bulls owe him next season on the free agency market.
Earlier reports this morning from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne stated Wade was “leaning toward” picking up the option. Shelburne’s report also included the detail that Wade was likely to opt in regardless of what the Bulls plan to do with his fellow Marquette alum Jimmy Butler.
Butler’s future is still very unclear. He’s reportedly being chased by the Cavaliers, Timberwolves and Suns. Other sources have the Bulls actively shopping Butler, with Boston as the primary destination.
Get ready for more Wade, Bulls fans. Butler might be gone, but at least one veteran star will stick around to watch the beginning of the rebuild if GarPax finally press the self-destruct button. As for Rajon Rondo? The third “Alpha” is still waiting for the Bulls to make their decision on the team option to pick up the second year of his contract. Sean Highkin of The Athletic:
I’m told, meanwhile, that the Bulls have yet to make a final decision on whether to pick up Rajon Rondo’s $13.4m option for next season.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) June 20, 2017
More updates as news warrants.
