Miami Heat: Would Dwyane Wade Ever Considering Holding Off Retirement?

The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade has had one fantastic and heart-warming farewell tour this season, but is his success a sign that he could continue to play?

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat has drawn massive support from city to city this year, and not solely as a fundamental part of what the Miami Heat have been doing on the court, but mostly in light of his “one last dance” farewell tour. But what if it wasn’t? Would a guy that still seems to have a lot left to give, ever consider not retiring at the end of the season? Even after the hoopla surrounding his supposed last go around? That is a question worth asking, and here is why.

Not only would the fans, and surely Heat Nation welcome D-Wade back, but coach Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley have also expressed similar sentiments. Just a few days ago, prior to a win on the road against the Dallas Mavericks, coach Spoelstra was quoted as saying that he actually brings up the notion of coming back with Dwayne. Just this past November, Pat Riley let his feelings be known as well when he told reporters via Sun Sentinel at a veterans day event that he has “to get him to play another three more years,” and that he wants “him to get to 40. If he has a great year, he might not fall out of love with the game. He might want to just stay in it. That’s my goal.” He is definitely wanted back by many, so perhaps he could be convinced?

Outside of the obvious desire of many that Spo will stick around another year or so, he is saying that he is capable by the way that he is playing. Although not as paltry as his career averages of 22 points and 5 rebounds at about 48 percent shooting from the field, he has managed to score 14 a game while also still grabbing 4 boards per game. His season assists average is only down about 1 as well, based on his career averages. He’s had 16 games this season of at least 18 points, with his season high being a 35 point explosion in Toronto back in November. He also managed to put up 22 in the Heat’s last game versus the Mavericks. “That sounds like a guy that needs to retire,” said no one ever, and that’s even further reasoning why he should reconsider.

In looking at other ways where D Wade’s impact is immeasurable to this team and franchise, are his relationships with the younger players and his real abilities in being able to mentor them. To be clear here, they are not the same, but HE is capable of and does both.

Whenever talking to a current Miami Heat player, a former Miami Heat Player, or any of Wade’s former teammates, they always talk about how “great a teammate” he is. This is especially true for younger players, as they always emphasized how D-Wade has helped them “grow,” become a better player, or mentored them along the way. With the league getting younger and younger, and with the way teams are forced to have to count on young guys in 2019’s NBA, having someone with those particular skill sets can go a long way.

Lastly, the Miami Heat cap situation doesn’t exactly scream “sign 2 max players,” such as that of the New York Knicks. This goes to say the Heat need to retain all the quality and cost-efficient talent that they can in order to compete. With his averages, uncanny knacks for still being able to get to his spots without some of the elite athleticism of his past, and his abilities to help others get the most out of themselves, the Heat absolutely need him back. And while this team has quite a few good players, they lack the constant firepower to compete on a nightly basis, and Flash still brings that ability to hit big and timely shots.

This is not only something that Heat Nation wants, but we need it. Come back D-Wade, give us “one last dance” at least one last time? Consider it “3,” would you?