NBA Rumors: Miami Heat Target D'Angelo Russell as Next Dwyane Wade; Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic Welcome PG

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers
Mar 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) and guard D'Angelo Russell (1) react during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Heat got the shock of their lives when Dwyane Wade walked away from the team via free agency. Still reeling the loss of LeBron James, who went back to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, the Hassan Whiteside squad only has Chris Bosh left from their original Big Three. In an effort to cope with the dwindling number of superstarson the roster, Pat Riley is said to be looking at D'Angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers as the potential player to build the franchise around in the next years.

The Los Angeles Lakers is filled to the brim with young talent nowadays. Given the exit of Kobe Bryant, the former Black Mamba squad now needs to focus on a star to help carry the franchise. With eager young basketball stars like D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance, Jr., the Los Angeles Lakers have no shortage in the department. Moreover, the entry of new head coach Luke Walton, whom they hired after his successful stint with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in the Golden State Warriors, gives fans of the Kobe Bryant team so many things to look forward to next NBA season.

Initially banking on the fact that the Miami Heat will be carried by Hassan Whiteside and Dwyane Wade, Pat Riley failed to foresee the entry of the Chicago Bulls in the picture. That is, the NBA exec did not anticipate the possibility of losing his 13-year All-Star to the Jimmy Butler team - a move that left them even more shocked and unprepared compared with the exit of LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers two years ago.

"They made a choice; I made a choice," said Dwyane Wade of his exit from the Miami Heat. The newly minted Chicago Bulls star added, "My time, the clock ticked out on me. And whether they felt it, whether they wanted to do it, I did. And I respectfully walk away saying I tip my hat to their organization and to the city for embracing me and giving me the platform to be great. And I did that. I was great. It will always be there. But I've got more things to do."

Dwyane Wade further shared the pieces of advice he got from close friends LeBron James and Paul Pierce. He shared, "The biggest thing that came back from both of them was, 'Follow your heart. Whatever you want you want to do, we're going to support, we're your friends. But there's a reason you're having these thoughts: follow your heart.' "

With Kevin Durant off the table, the Miami Heat now has to scramble and rebuild their roster. Rumors are rife that the Hassan Whiteside squad now wants to have a young guy to develop and eventually hail as their new leader. In a nutshell, the Miami Heat wants a new Dwyane Wade on their roster.

This is where D'Angelo Russell comes in. Speculations have been swirling that the Miami Heat believe the young Los Angeles Lakers star has the potential to become the next Dwyane Wade for their team. At the moment, however, no official comments have been given by any of the parties concerned. Hence, fans are left to speculate how this NBA trade could play out if the Miami Heat truly pursues D'Angelo Russell.

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