Chicago, like many teams in 2010, pushed hard to sign LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
The difference between the Bulls and everyone else outside of Miami: They nearly got LeBron and Wade.
So says Wade.
Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago:
Wade said Chicago was a top option in 2010 but Chris Bosh changed things for he and LeBron. Said as a basketball fit Miami made sense
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) October 13, 2016
Had Deng been traded to the Clippers that summer, Wade said "it would've been a different story"
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) October 13, 2016
Wade: "my eyes were here, LeBron's eyes were here. Miami put a monkey wrench in the plan when they could fit all 3 of us."
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) October 13, 2016
Of the notion he and LeBron pre-planned playing together when they signed short extension in 2006, Wade said: "Crazy idea"
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) October 13, 2016
This is where Pat Riley deserves a ton of credit.
LeBron and Wade joining Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah in Chicago could’ve been special. But the Bulls would’ve had to trade Luol Deng just to fit two of LeBron, Wade and Bosh.
The Heat cleared enough cap space for all three, making a bigger splash and appealing more to the free agents. Riley expertly positioned Miami to win this competition.
But it still leaves the great “what if?” of LeBron and Wade in Chicago.