Home For Good?
Woj asked Wade how he’ll balance his desire to contend for titles and making up for taking paycuts in Miami when signing his final deals in the NBA.
“I didn’t sign a long deal with Chicago because they wanted the flexibility just like I did. I’ll have to sit down and decide if I’m going to opt in or I’m not. I’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of doing both and live with the decision that I make. But I’ll do what I do every year: sit down with my wife, I’ll sit down with my team at CAA, my agency, and make the best decision for where my career’s going..and where the organization is.” – Dwyane Wade
The comment about evaluating where the Bulls are as an organization isn’t entirely new. He said something similar a few weeks ago. The surprising part came when Woj asked the father of three if being back home in Chicago is enough of a reason to keep playing with the Bulls.
“It could be enough. Not even looking at it from my standpoint, but more so my kids. I think my kids are really enjoying being back home, being back with my family…The tough thing when you have a family, when you have kids is moving them around a lot. This was a tough move for my kids. Now I see them really developing into themselves in Chicago. So yeah, I have to think about that too. It is enough. The Chicago part is enough for me. But it’s not the only part. There’s a money part and there’s a winning part. You gotta sit down with all three of those things: family, money, winning. Stack ’em up and see what’s the most important when you make your decision.” – Dwyane Wade
Is Wade suggesting with these comments that family will weigh the heaviest when it comes time to make his decision? It sounds like coming home to Chicago has been great for his family. He can opt in for a second year with the Bulls and make another $23.8 million next season. That takes care of family and money. The only thing he’ll likely be missing is the winning.
Helping Hand
But maybe the winning just isn’t that important anymore to the three-time NBA champion. Not when he can stay in his hometown and help the youth of a city plagued by violence. Here’s Wade on what it’s been like re-immersing himself into the role of hometown hero for Chicago’s kids:
“It’s definitely been great. I think the way that the kids in Chicago look at my different now…Now that I’m back home and playing for their favorite team. It’s really a glimmer of hope. They’re looking for you to give them something. Give them the blueprint. Give them a word. So it’s been powerful. Me, my family and our foundation, what we’re going to try to continue to do. I think there are some good things in the city. It’s all about giving our youth that feeling that they can succeed…There’s so much negativity about Chicago that our kids get to see and hear. Once you hear something over and over again, that’s what you believe. So our job is to share a positive in their life.” – Dwyane Wade
Wade and his charity, the Wade’s World Foundation, are doing their part to help the youth of Chicago. Between that and being back home around family, maybe he’ll stick with the Bulls regardless of their win-loss record this season.
On the other hand, there’s always the possibility that Wade will team up with LeBron again. Or one of his other “Banana Boat Crew” buddies.
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