"Home Is Where The Heart Is... My Home,My City,My
House..#HeatLifer," Wade posted on Instagram in a social media
teaser before the Heat finally made it official.
"Dwyane has been the franchise cornerstone for this team since the
day he arrived 11 years ago," Heat president Pat Riley said.
"He has shown his commitment to the Heat many times over the course
of his career and has always been willing to sacrifice in order to
help build this team into a champion. This time is no different.
"I am ecstatic to have him back in the fold and I am confident that
Dwyane, as always, will be leading this team as we look to contend
for NBA championships."
While details of the multi-year deal were not made public, the
All-Star guard will make at least $15 million per season, ESPN
reported.
The development was not unexpected as Miami’s front office strives
to reconstruct a team that made four successive trips to the NBA
Finals and won two titles before James's decision to return to the
Cleveland Cavaliers following four seasons with the Heat.
Wade was part of the so-called 'Big Three' with James and forward
Chris Bosh, who also has re-signed a massive deal to stay in Miami.
The Heat have also added free agent forward Luol Deng as part of
their rebuilding since James's departure. Free agents Josh McRoberts
and Danny Granger were brought in before the exit of four-time
league MVP James.
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Wade, 32, has played his entire career in Miami since being drafted
in 2003, winning three NBA titles and averaging more than 24 points
per game during the regular season.
Last season he was hampered by a knee issue and missed 28 games in a
move designed to keep him healthy for the playoffs.
Wade still managed to average 19 points, 4.7 assists and 4.5
rebounds in the 2013-14 campaign.
The Heat went on to win the Eastern Conference title before falling
decisively in five games to the San Antonio Spurs in the
championship series.
Wade had invoked an early termination option after four years of a
six-year deal worth $108 million, opting for free agency to free up
money for the team as it sought to improve the roster and keep
James.
(Reporting By Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Larry
Fine)
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