The Chicago Bulls will enter the 2017/2018 season in full rebuild mode after trading away Jimmy Butler to Minnesota earlier this offseason.  Despite the move Dwyane Wade still opted in to his $23.8 million dollar player option shortly after Butler was moved.  It was a move that surprised some but the reality is Wade was not getting anywhere near that big of a contract on the open market.  Wade stated that he would be on board with playing out the entire season with the Bulls and mentoring their young roster.  A report came out today from ESPN Chicago that stated the Bulls have started buyout talks with Wade and are expected to complete the buyout at some point in the next few months. Bulls Vice President John Paxson is on the record as saying he would only agree to a buyout with Wade if it was “advantageous” to the team.  Basically the Bulls would expect Wade to agree to give up a large chunk of his $23.8 million dollar option.

If and when Wade is bought out you can expect his good friend Lebron James to recruit him to join the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Wade had considered joining the Cavaliers last summer before realizing the Cavs could not create the cap space needed to sign him. Money should not be an issue this time around as Wade would receive millions in his buyout from Chicago.  The Cavs can offer the league minimum as they did with new acquisitions Jeff Green and Derrick Rose or they can pay Wade what is left of their mid level exception which is approximately $2.4 million.  The Miami Heat will most likely be the biggest threat to the Cavaliers for Wade’s services if he indeed does hit the open market.  If Wade is serious about getting back to the finals and competing for another championship then the Cavaliers certainly make the most sense.  This is one story to keep an eye on as we head into the final month of the offseason before NBA training camps open.