Dwyane Wade would have to play bench role if he re-signs with the Heat

The Miami Heat would need Dwyane Wade to take a pay cut and a bench role if they are going to re-sign him this summer.

If Dwyane Wade is going to stay with the Chicago Bulls, he’ll need to know that Jimmy Butler is also staying put. If the Bulls opt to rebuild, it’s believed that Wade could turn down is $23.8 million contract and enter free agency. If that’s the case, as the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reports, a return to Miami can’t be ruled out, but only on the Heat’s terms.

"But a source with knowledge of the Heat’s thinking said if Wade opts out and the Heat pursues him – and that’s no guarantee Miami would – he would need to be open to a substantial pay cut and be receptive to a potential bench role."

As Jackson reports, the Heat aren’t expected to make Wade a priority this summer even if he is available. They’ll look to land an elite talent, and then to re-sign its own free agents like Dion Waiters and James Johnson, before making any offer to Wade.

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Asked during his exit interview if he’d be open to a bench role, Wade said:

"“I’m an open-minded person. I’m always open to a lot of things. That’s never been presented to me. I’ve never had that, but I will never be a person that says, ‘Oh, never.’ I’m always open. If it’s the right situation, you know what, you do what’s best for the team and yourself. I’m an open-minded individual.”"

If Wade is going to opt out, it would be because the Bulls are rebuilding. At that point, it seems unlikely he would join the Heat unless he is coming with an elite talent that makes them a contender. Otherwise, it makes more sense for Wade to get paid elsewhere, or join LeBron in Cleveland to chase a ring.

Next: Bringing Wade back doesn't make sense for the Heat

I still tend to think Wade has at least one more year before coming back to Miami, but I think it will happen at some point.