Returning to the 305: Dwyane Wade Traded Back to Miami Heat
The 36-year-old is coming back to Miami after two seasons in Chicago, Cleveland
•
NBC 6 Reporter Laura Rodriguez explains everyone’s excitement about Dwyane Wade returning to Miami.
What to Know
The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Wade to the Heat for a protected 2024 second-round draft pick
Wade spent 13 seasons with the Heat after being drafted in 2003, winning three NBA titles and being named a 12 time All-Star.
The second chapter of the Dwyane Wade era with the Miami Heat is set to begin.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to a trade sending Wade back to South Florida in exchange for a protected 2024 second-round draft pick, the team confirmed Thursday.
"We feel that Dwyane can help our team in so many ways," Heat President Pat Riley said in a statement. "It is a beautiful moment for us, for the city and for the fans. All of us embrace it in the manner that we want to win and that's why we brought Dwyane back home. We look forward to having a great end of season run as we fight for the playoffs."
Sources told NBC 6 that Wade was arriving in Miami Thursday night and undergoing a physical evaluation before playing in Friday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Reaction to the move - including from Wade's wife, actress Gabrielle Union - show the folks in what used to be affectionately called "Wade County" are ready for his return.
Drafted in 2003 with the fifth overall pick, Wade became a fan favorite when he joined with Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning and others in helping the team win their first championship during the 2005-06 season - with Wade being named the Finals MVP that year.
Getty Images
Dwyane Wade #3 and LeBron James #6 celebrate after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win Game Seven of the 2013 NBA Finals at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Getty Images
The Miami Heat selected Dwyane Wade with the 5th pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Wade starred for Marquette but elected to forego his senior year to enter the draft.
Getty Images
Dwyane Wade takes the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 16, 2003 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Wade immediately made an impact on the Heat his rookie year, helping the team make the playoffs and earning a unanimous selection to the 2004 NBA All-Rookie Team.
Getty Images
With the addition of Shaquille O'Neal for the 2004-2005 season, Dwyane Wade reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Pistons in Game 7.
Getty Images
Dwyane Wade, head coach Pat Riley and Shaquille O'Neal celebrate after the Heat won the 2006 NBA Finals after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 95-92 on June 20, 2006 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Wade was named the Finals MVP.
AP
After battling a knee injury in 2008, Wade came back stronger than ever in 2009, becoming the NBA's scoring champion.
Getty Images
Dwyane Wade #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat look on during a game against the Indiana Pacers at American Airlines Arena on November 22, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Wade was joined by his good friends LeBron and Chris Bosh for the 2010-2011 season, which ended with a loss in the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade holds the the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy and LeBron James holds his most valuable player trophy after Game 5 of the NBA finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday, June 22, 2012, in Miami. The Heat won 121-106 to become the 2012 NBA Champions.
Getty
The Big Three, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and James, pose with their 2012 NBA Championship rings.
Getty Images
Dwyane Wade #3 and LeBron James #6 celebrate after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 to win Game Seven of the 2013 NBA Finals at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Getty Images
Wade talks to an official in the first half of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2016 NBA Playoffs. The Heat lost the game and the series, and Wade signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Bulls in the offseason.
Getty Images
Wade waves to the crowd during the first quarter of the game between the Bulls and the Heat at American Airlines Arena on November 10, 2016. It was Wade's first game back in Miami after signing with Chicago, where he spent just one season before rejoining James in Cleveland.
NBC Washington
James and Wade during a game against the Heat at Quicken Loans Arena on November 28, 2017 in Cleveland. Wade was traded back to the Heat on Feb. 8, 2018.
Getty Images
Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat enters the game during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena on February 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. It was his first game back with the team after the trade from Cleveland.
AP Photo/Ben Curtis
Wade began dating actress Gabrielle Union in 2009 and the couple married in 2014. Union has been a frequent presence at Heat games.
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat pose for a photo after exchanging jerseys, as Wade plans to retire at the end of the season, after a 108-105 Laker win at Staples Center on December 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Brian Witt
Steph Curry, Dwyane Wade exchange jerseys after Warriors-Heat game
AP
Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade smiles after dunking against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA game Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Miami.
Marcus White
Dwyane Wade made an absurd buzzer-beating shot as the Heat beat the Warriors on Feb. 27, 2019.
Wade, 36, spent 13 seasons total with the Heat, winning two more NBA titles after Miami brought in superstars LeBron James and Chris Bosh during the 2010 offseason. During his time with the Heat, Wade was a 12 time All-Star and eight time member of the All-NBA team.
James even took to Instagram Thursday, writing "truly happy for my brother @dwyanewade!! It's how it's suppose to be. Love you my guy!! #WadeCountyBack."
Wade left the Heat after the 2015-16 season to sign a deal with his hometown Chicago Bulls before signing with Cleveland this past offseason.
