Dwyane Wade weighs in on LeBron James’ 76ers decision. Image via: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images |Chad Salvador/WWD via Getty Dwyane Wade is not letting LeBron James‘ offseason exit from the Lakers fade quietly into the background. The Miami Heat legend addressed his former teammate’s decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, and his response hinted that there is a layer to the move most people have not connected yet.James is set to debut for Philadelphia on October 20 against the defending champions, Knicks, and the buildup has already turned into a talking point across the league. Wade, never shy about weighing in on his old running mate, chose this moment to stir the pot without giving away exactly what he means.
Dwyane Wade reacts to LeBron James signing with 76ers
Dwyane Wade appeared on the “Conversations With Cam” podcast and was asked directly about James landing in Philadelphia. Rather than offering a simple take, the three-time NBA champion suggested there is more coming. “From a basketball standpoint, I thought it was a very strategic move at this point in his career,” Wade said.”I don’t think we’ve seen the end of what this move is,” Wade added, leaving the door open for speculation about what exactly he is referring to.Wade did not stop there. He called the decision a smart one for James at this stage of his career, pointing to the roster Philadelphia has built around him. The 76ers added Jaylen Brown in a trade that sent Paul George to Boston, then brought in Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons, giving James a starting lineup that also includes Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid. Wade framed the fit as one that gives James a real path back to championship contention in the East.
Dwyane Wade on LeBron James skipping Miami Heat reunion
The question Heat fans really wanted answered was why James never seriously circled back to Miami. Wade did not dodge it. “I think Miami would have been a good move as wel. but there’s a lot of moving parts in that that needed to go right,” Wade said.He acknowledged a reunion would have made sense on paper, especially with Miami retooling around Giannis Antetokounmpo and adding sharpshooter Klay Thompson, but he pointed out that too many pieces would have needed to line up for it to actually happen.The answer will not satisfy everyone in South Florida. Plenty of Heat fans still believe pairing James with Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo would have given him the best combination of talent and market appeal anywhere in his free agency search. Wade’s comments suggest even he sees the logic in that argument, even if he ultimately backed James’ choice to head to Philadelphia instead.