Dwyane Wade traded back to the Miami Heat

The Cleveland Cavaliers have traded Dwyane Wade to the Miami Heat in a stunning deal, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Wade, of course, was a Heat lifer before joining the Chicago Bulls last season and signing in Cleveland before the year started.

In return, Cleveland is receiving a “heavily protected” second-round selection from Miami, per Wojnarowski.

Now Wade’s back in Miami, leaving his good friend LeBron James in Cleveland in the midst of a flurry of moves that completely rebuilds the Cavaliers roster. Though we expected fireworks from Koby Altman and the Cavaliers’ front office, Wade had never once been rumored to be on the move, since he’s an aging player with minimal value and few expected him to depart given his relationship with James.

Wade’s role in Cleveland has been the smallest of his career, averaging a career-low 23 minutes and 11 points per game on well-below-league-average efficiency. Though we would occasionally see flashes of the Wade of old, he was mostly a bit-part role player who didn’t necessarily help the team. Even the famed James and Wade chemistry didn’t really seem to be there.

As such, it’s not a huge surprise to see that Wade was moveable, and that he would even support such a move. The Heat need another bench scorer after losing Dion Waiters for the year, and Wade is obviously extremely comfortable with that organization, even with his awkward exit in the summer of 2016.

Even James supports the move, posting this on Instagram.

Cleveland looks completely different now, and Miami gets back the best player in its franchise history. This was unexpected, but it makes sense for both sides.