CLEVELAND — Dwyane Wade said Wednesday he remains committed to completing his NBA career as a member of the Miami Heat. He just doesn’t know how or when.
Wade, who left the Heat after his first 13 NBA seasons to sign with his hometown Chicago Bulls in the 2016 offseason and now is on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, offered his thoughts in advance of facing the Heat at Quicken Loans Arena.
“I have thought about it, of course. I wouldn’t lie and say I haven’t,” he said of closing out his career with the Heat, either ceremonially or as a player. “When that opportunity comes, that day comes, hopefully, I can go out in a Miami Heat jersey. I don’t know how it will be, but I would love it.”
Wade turned 36 on Jan. 17.
“For me, I’m at the point where you get this high up in years played in the NBA, you kind of take the summer to think about what you want as a player and go from there,” he said. “For me, the arena that I walked in to play, I would like to leave in.
“How it’s done, I don’t know. I can’t predict the future. If it’s a Paul Pierce situation or just playing, I don’t know. But I definitely would like to walk out the same way I came in.”
Pierce signed with the Celtics in the offseason as a ceremonial means to return with Boston.
Wade said he appreciates the Heat’s revival in the wake of LeBron James’ 2014 free-agency departure, the blood clots that ended Chris Bosh’sHeat career and then his own departure. Together, those three led the Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals and championships in 2012 and ‘13.
“It’s the Miami Heat. Last year, they were trying to find themselves early in the season and they did later. They found their identity,” Wade said. “Everyone on the team that came there understood what it was going to take to win in that environment, in that culture. And they continued it throughout the year.
“Just like every team, there are games people feel they should win that they lost, and games people feel they should win and won. This team plays hard. They’re consistent with their game for the most part. That’s going to get them a lot of wins.”
He cited the improvement of Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson.
“I’m impressed with the guys, J-Rich and taking that step to the next level,” Wade said. “Tyler, playing amazing. I’m happy for those guys. But I expect it. I expect those guys to play the way they are.”
As for his own journey, Wade said he still finds it enjoyable.
“I smile just as much as anybody in here,” he said. “I’m enjoying the game. Team success is obviously the ultimate thing. But throughout the year, you have to find a joy. You can’t let losses and all these things really take your joy away from playing.
“I can’t play this game forever, so I’m definitely just enjoying the process. I’m enjoying being in the locker room with these veteran guys.”
