Various reports have confirmed that Dwayne Wade has decided to leave the Miami Heat and join the Chicago Bulls. And, according to new rumors, it seems Chicago's Rajon Rondo and Jimmy Butler may have been the reasons why Wade decided to jump ship.
Wade began his NBA career with Miami after he was drafted by the team as the 5th overall pick in 2003. For 13 season, Miami has been his home, which was probably why it was strongly expected that he will re-sign with the Heat after he became a free agent this year.
However, in a very surprising move, Wade penned a letter addressed to Miami and submitted it to the Associated Press. In the letter, he revealed that he has decided to be part of the Bulls' roster for next season.
According to the news site, Wade has agreed to sign a two-year deal with Chicago, which is worth around $47 million. This is certainly more than what Miami offered him, which was at $40 million. As noted by Wade, he made his decision based on what he thinks will be good for him and his family.
"This was not an easy decision, but I feel I have made the right choice for myself and my family," he wrote.
"Watching the Bulls growing up inspired me at an early age to pursue my dream of becoming a basketball player," he continued. "My most treasured memories were watching my dad play basketball on the courts of Fermi Elementary School and developing my game at the Blue Island Recreation Center."
But aside from the hefty offer, Wade's decision may have also been influenced by two of the Bulls' key players. According to NBA insider Alex Kennedy, the Chicago franchise reportedly dispatched Butler and the newly acquired Rondo to recruit Wade.
It is not yet clear how these two communicated with Wade or what they talked about but the notion of Rondo convincing the former Heat shooting guard to join him in a team is very interesting especially since these two have a rough history.
NBA fans might recall that Rondo, when he was still with the Boston Celtics, got a flagrant foul in 2013 during a game against Miami when he grabbed Wade by the neck. Then, back in 2011, Wade accidentally dislocated Rondo's shoulder when he fell on him during Game of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
