LeBron James and Dwyane Wade: Could Destiny Unite Them in Free Agency?
by Hadarii Jones Written on May 27, 2010 Ronald Martinez
Dwyane Wade recently told the Chicago Tribune that he, LeBron James, and Joe Johnson have been having informal talks about their impending free agency decisions, and Wade intimated his choice may hinge on the decisions of those players.
" A lot of decisions will be based on what other players are willing to do.
"So it's not just a me situation here...We all have to look and see what each other is thinking."
Wade's words give legitimacy to the idea concerning a possible pairing of himself and James, and considering he also said they would have more conversations in the future on the subject, a new day could be dawning in the NBA.
Both Wade and James would benefit immensely from a decision to pool their collective talents on the same roster, and they would probably be the most feared twosome since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippin roamed the hardwood.
The friendship James and Wade share is common knowledge, and both players have different reasons to consider as to why a move to combine destinies could mutually help their legacies.
James' failure to win a championship in Cleveland or even reach the Finals the past two years can partly be blamed on the supporting cast he was surrounded by, and the failure of management to pair him with a true superstar.
People falsely assumed Antawn Jamison was that player, but under the glare of the postseason lights, Jamison's game failed to match the expectations media members had placed on him.
I think James is cognizant of the need to play with a similarly talented individual, and Wade fits that bill better than Johnson or Chris Bosh, and he has the championship pedigree to boot.
This may be the most important factor to consider if this idea really takes shape, because Wade can help James through his own championship experience, and he has the skills to back it up.
Shaquille O'Neal had championship experience for sure, but his skills have deteriorated to the point where his physical abilities prevented him from playing on a championship level.
So O'Neal's motivation was limited to his speech, but Wade can perform at a championship level, and if he and James were on the same team, James would certainly draw inspiration from Wade's emotion.
James will not find this same element in Bosh or Johnson, or any other high profile free agent on the market, and Wade and James must both understand the urgency of the moment.
Wade has wasted the past few seasons in Miami, the victim of a poor core roster, and yet still managed to keep the Heat relevant and in the postseason picture, despite little help from management.
Wade has tasted a title before, and this season's free agency period may represent his best chance to reach that level again, whether it means being loyal to Miami, or seeking his fortunes elsewhere.
James understands the importance of this offseason, because it will go a long way towards determining his legacy as a player, and if winning championships is paramount, serious thought about pairing with Wade is mandatory.
There are teams who could possibly bring the two superstars together, and when glancing at the rosters of the remaining teams in the NBA Playoffs, it may be easier than you think.
I won't bore you with numbers, but consider the fact the Los Angeles Lakers found a way to steal Pau Gasol away from Memphis, and the Boston Celtics reversed their franchise's fortunes by adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.
Throw in Cleveland getting Jamison for virtually nothing, and you can see how the quirks and loopholes in NBA deals could potentially pave the way for another move of historic proportions.
There is one team out there who can make this a reality, but it may not be Wade's native Chicago, because Wade openly expressed his distaste on how former stars of the Bulls' franchise have been treated.
It's no secret James is high on the Bulls' free agency radar, but would Wade's possible refusal to play there influence James' decision if the opportunity to play with Wade became available?
Maybe James would consider Miami, or New York may still be an option, but if the two do decide to play together, whichever team they land on would become immediate contenders for the NBA title.
The past few seasons have been a testament to the individual talent of both Wade and James, in addition to serving as a window into their failures, but this summer provides a chance to turn the tides of their collective fortunes.
Wade and James can certify their greatness by combining their talents, and if the two could possibly find a way to make this work, it could seal their destiny as one of the game's legendary duos.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade: Could Destiny Unite Them in Free Agency? | Bleacher Report
