SAM SMITH ON WADE FREE AGENCY and COMPLIMENT TO LAZAR

[classof70]

 BY SAM SMITH:

It's been mentioned, though with little fanfare, that Wade will make some recruiting visits, namely New York, when the process begins. It's been dismissed because the assumption is Wade is locked into Miami and seemingly burned his bridge with Chicago with recent comments attacking the organization's loyalty.

Wade probably will stay with the Heat because of that sixth year maximum dollars he can get and that he is 28 and has had injuries and, unlike LeBron, probably won't get another big deal after this one. But Wade also is believed to be concerned about a so-called super team developing in Chicago, effectively blocking his way forever to another championship, and, of all places, in his home town.

The thinking, so, goes like this: Wade says he'll sign with the Bulls and bring Bosh with him as they both are represented by the same agent, respected Chicagoan Henry Thomas.

In many respects, Wade is a better fit for the Bulls than LeBron. LeBron, sure, is better and far more famous and talented. But the Bulls are going to have Luol Deng and it would remain a big question where Deng would play with James. It's difficult to see Deng as a willing bench player. Plus, LeBron brings an awful lot of entourage baggage which Wade doesn't.

Wade doesn't seem to need to dominate the ball like LeBron does, which could be a bit uncomfortable with Derrick Rose. With LeBron, the Bulls still would need a shooting guard, especially to chase on defense, and you aren't about to get a starting level shooting guard with the minimum salaries the Bulls can offer after paying the free agents.

Though the bigger thing from Wade's part would be the strategy. He could cut off LeBron and become the major figure in the East to match Kobe in the West, which has bugged Wade for some time. If Wade can get Bosh to go with him, then LeBron could go to New York with almost no roster depth and a lesser power forward, like Amar'e Stoudemire or Carlos Boozer. It wouldn't even be as talented a roster as James has now in Cleveland. That could force James back to Cleveland as Miami, obviously would be out without Wade and, in effect, Wade could become the one to dictate free agency instead of LeBron.

Would the Bulls be interested? I really don't know, but you'd have to be interested no matter what little critical thing Wade may or may not have said given the easy fit with Wade and then the balanced roster with Taj Gibson being a third forward.

This is not a done deal by any means, and as much as the Bulls need to make a case to LeBron, I can see where LeBron should be making a case as well as he's not the only alternative to a championship, and maybe not even the best.

After all, Wade took a bad team to a title (Antoine Walker and Gary Payton were major contributors) in 2006 and James hasn't been close to doing the same.




"I think Marquette's Lazar Haywood may be one of the big surprises of the first round in Minnesota with a lot to come there as Al Jefferson clearly is on the market now. ..."

[Lighthouse 84]

Who's Lazar Haywood?

[77ncaachamps]

Are you sure it wasn't Len Elmore who wrote the article?

[Lennys Tap]

I like Sam Smith - good writer who comes up with interesting and original scenarios for possible trades/player movements. Unfortunately I can't recall any actually happening. Would love for this to be a first but I'm not holding my breath.

[SacWarrior]

Is this Lazar fellow related to Brendan Haywood?