Father Prime is 35 years old. Frankly it would have been negligent if he didn’t pick up his option and turned down all that cash. Here are the full details on what he stands to gain.
Wade has informed the organization that he’ll pick up his 2017-’18 player option for $23.8 million, according to multiple reports. The decision was widely expected, as Wade has previously discussed the hard work he put in to earn the option and spoken of his family’s affinity for living in Chicago, his hometown. It will mark the final season of his two-year deal with the Bulls.
The timing is somewhat notable. Wade’s decision deadline wasn’t until next Tuesday, so he could’ve waited to see what direction the Bulls take with star wing Jimmy Butler as trade rumors fly and draft night awaits Thursday. Now, Wade will be back no matter what, whether the Bulls are trying to contend for a playoff spot or choose to move Butler and rebuild.
Wade, who turns 36 in January, averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season while shooting 43.4 percent. He played in 60 games, missing a longer stretch late in the season with a fractured bone in his elbow.
While it’s all gravy for Wade on the Cash Dem Checks All-Stars, the Bulls would have benefitted from the cap flexibility moving forward had he declined his option. Earlier today reports surfaced that Jimmy Butler will be moved ahead of Thursday’s NBA Draft.
It appears Jimmy Butler will indeed be traded by the Bulls.
According to CSN Chicago, the Bulls are shopping Butler to many teams, including the Celtics. Other teams interested are the Cavs, Suns and Nuggets. The report went on to say the Celtics even offered the Bulls the No. 3 overall pick for Butler straight up, but were turned down.
The report also has one league executive saying “it’s either Boston or Cleveland but he’s going.”This comes a day after Stephen A. Smith reported the Celtics would use the No. 3 pick to get Butler and then sign Gordon Hayward.
“They don’t know if they’ll be able to, but their hope is that they’ll be able to use the No. 3 pick, get themselves Jimmy Butler, go into free agency, get Gordon Hayward, and then combine Butler with Hayward,” he explained. “Keeping Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley and those boys in toe, and making a legitimate run at the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference crown.”
Chicago is in the midst of a rebuild with vets such as Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Robin Lopez making north of $10+ million. They own the 16th pick in the NBA Draft but look for them to find their way into the lottery on Draft Day.