As we get closer and closer to the finish line of Dwyane Wade‘s allustrious NBA career, the time has came to start talking about what Wade’s plans post-basketball potentially are.
One option for the 37-year-old Miami Heat guard is ownership, something he has expressed interest in previously. Just like several other NBA players, Wade believes that Seattle should have a NBA team, and he would be interested in helping bring a NBA team back to the city that previously had the Super Sonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder). However, Wade also has interest in becoming part of the ownership group in Miami.
Wade reiterated his desire to become a NBA owner yesterday pre-game in Dallas before the Heat’s 112-101 win over the Dallas Mavericks when he was asked by the media:
“I love Seattle,” Wade said, when asked about potential ownership options. “It’s great, Unfortunately it’s not a part of the NBA. When a question was asked what franchise you want to see back, Seattle was one for me. And we talking about who I want to be ownership of, Miami has first dibs and then I go from there.
It is not presently clear just how much of an ownership stake Wade would be looking for, but it’s likely that if he wants to join the Heat’s ownership group, it would be as a minority owner. Current Miami owner Micky Arison has given no indication that he wants to sell the team, but just like several other franchises, the Heat do have several minority owners.
In the coming years, there is expected to be a lot of moving parts when it comes to the reshuffling of the Heat’s front office. Miami’s current President of Basketball Operations in 73-year-old Pat Riley has given no indications that he is planning to retire in the near future, but the Heat have already started to make several hires to prepare for the inevitable departure. The most recent notable hiring was the hiring of Shane Battier, a former Miami Heat player and NBA veteran. Battier was given a prominent job title with the Heat right away as well, as the team’s Director of Basketball Development & Analytics.
There’s speculation that once Riley officially decides to retire, Battier will take over Riley’s old duties as the team’s president. It would make sense too, as the 40-year-old Battier has been highly-coveted by several other NBA teams since being hired by Miami, as he was consider the favorite for the Detroit Pistons’ open President of Basketball Operations job last year before he withdrew his name.
This all connects back to Wade because of there isn’t a way Wade can join the Heat’s ownership, there is certainly a way for him to get involved with the front office is he so desires. Besides Battier, other former Heat players that currently work for the Heat include Alonzo Mourning, Juwan Howard, and Glen Rice. One of Wade’s good friends in former Heat player Chris Bosh, who will have his number retired by the Heat on March 26 against the Orlando Magic, has previously expressed interest in potential front office positions. Bosh’s career was brought to an abrupt end in 2016 due to blood clots, as the 11-time NBA all-star recently revealed to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons that his jersey retirement will officially end his playing career.
ESPN’s Dan Le Batard recently said on his radio show that part of the reason why the Heat wanted to get Bosh’s number retired relatively quickly is there is talks that he might join the front office. Would working alongside Bosh in the front office appeal to Wade? That is something presently unknown. What is known is that Riley has often said in the past that he believes the front office is missing one more piece before he can officially retire. Is that piece Wade/Bosh, or the both of them? Only time will tell.
For now, Wade still has 26 left to go in his career, including one last performance at Sunday’s 2018-2019 NBA All-Star Game, which will be the 13th overall all-star game for Wade. NBA commissioner Adam Silver made Wade a special addition to the all-star rosters to commemorate Wade’s last season, and Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki was also added under the same designation in what will likely be his final NBA season. Wade was drafted to Team LeBron in the all-star draft by his good friend LeBron James.
On the season, Wade is averaging 14.0 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 43% from the field, and 32% from three-point range.
Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images
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