Rumors have swirled all day about the next move for Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade, who’s now an unrestricted free agent. He’s reportedly scheduled to meet with several teams, but one franchise is raising eyebrows with its social media mind games.
As the biggest free agent still on the board after Kevin Durant announced that he’s signing with the Golden State Warriors (resulting in a lifted curse from Lil B), Wade pretty much has his choice of where he wants to go. According to multiple sports reporters, Miami has offered him a two-year, $40 million deal. Wade has yet to publicly respond, but he’s looking for a $50 million deal and in the process several other teams including the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, and Milwaukee Bucks have expressed interest in signing Wade.
By Tuesday, reporters confirmed that Wade canceled some of those meetings with interested teams.
Can confirm that Dwyane Wade's scheduled meeting with the Bucks is off
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) July 5, 2016
Dwyane Wade has canceled some free agent meetings with teams he'd set up with this week, sources said.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 5, 2016
But some fans are now convinced that Wade is signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers—fresh after winning an NBA title last month—after the official account followed Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union, on Twitter. (Wade also followed the Cavs on Instagram.) If Wade signed with the Cavs, he’d reunite with his former Heat teammate LeBron James.
Dwyane Wade just followed the Cavs on Instagram and the Cavs just followed him and his wife on Twitter. Wow.
— CLE Sports Nation (@NationCLE) July 5, 2016
— conrad kaz (@conradkaz) July 5, 2016
The @cavs followed @DwyaneWade and @itsgabrielleu, so there's that. 👀
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 5, 2016
Normally one account’s follow activity wouldn’t raise much attention, but when everything is a conspiracy in the making in the NBA, it matters to the fans. For them, the Cavs following Wade—a player on a rival team—matters.
Wade actually signing with the Cavs seems unlikely, and for a reason worth millions. The Cavs simply don’t have enough money available to negotiate a contract with Wade unless he takes a pay cut—and possibly James as well.
If Wade wants $50M ($25M) per year, only some teams can offer that kind of cash and the #Cavs aren't one of them https://t.co/6rvC7FCUWj
— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) July 5, 2016
It's more money with the Nuggets or 3 million a year with the Cavs. I'm staring at Wade with my arms folded
— Chris Wittyngham (@ChrisWittyngham) July 5, 2016
Even if LeBron did that, they'd have to lose JR and they *still* could only offer Wade 7M. https://t.co/rEt8Bp4k6J
— nick wright (@getnickwright) July 5, 2016
All the @cavs following Wade and Gabriel Union means (for now) is that their social media guy/gal deserves a raise!
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) July 5, 2016
We’re frankly no closer to finding out where Wade will play next (or if he’ll stay in Miami). In the meantime he’s getting a ton of new follows without having to do a single thing, so it’s already a win for him.
Huh? What do you mean? https://t.co/kV9zPuCdjr
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) July 5, 2016
Just in case Dwayne Wade has any eligibility left. pic.twitter.com/BLdEmy4Zi0
— Minot State Beavers (@MSUBeavers) July 5, 2016
Update 1:44pm CT, July 7: Wade has reportedly signed to play for the Chicago Bulls.