Wade not bothered by suiting up for 3 teams in as many years
It appeared not long ago that Dwyane Wade was to follow down the path of other NBA greats like Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant who had spent their entire careers playing for one organization.
However, after suiting up for 13 years with the Miami Heat (2003-2016), Wade decided to take his talents to the Chicago Bulls. He lasted a single season with his hometown squad before having his contract bought out and subsequently joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in September.
Playing for three different teams in a matter of three years has been rather surreal for the 12-time All-Star, but it's nothing he chooses to dwell on.
"It's different," Wade told The Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman ahead of Cleveland's matchup with the Heat on Tuesday night. "Obviously you don't know what’s going to happen from day to day. This career path we all chose in the NBA, you just don’t know what’s going to happen with it.
"For me, I'm OK and I'm content with what I've done for 13 years. Did I think it was gonna shake out this way? No. But I’m not sitting here crying about it neither."
Failed contract negotiations and a fractured relationship with president Pat Riley led to Wade's departure from Miami. The 35-year-old still has fond memories of his tenure with the franchise, though, and even hopes to one day retire in a Heat jersey.
"I understand that's how things go," Wade added. "The decisions I made - and I made the decisions, so it’s fine. I look back on my 13 years (with the Heat) and said, 'Man, we did some special, special things.' It’s an amazing chapter in my life and a big part of what I’ve become and who I am.
"I don't look back at nothing but the good times. I don't look back at the bad ones."
Wade won three championships in South Beach, and is the Heat's all-time leader in points, assists, steals, and appearances.
He's currently averaging 10.4 points on 42.3 percent shooting for the 13-7 Cavaliers.