Dwyane Wade picked up his $24 million option for the 2017-18 season on Wednesday. When asked why, he said there were “24 million reasons.” This is classic sardonic Dwyane Wade. It was unlikely Wade would pick up $24 million from any other team, despite the three-time champion being quite productive for the Bulls. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, as they say.
Dwyane Wade suggests Dion Waiters should get $150 million. I agree.
When you can pay a 25-year-old to put up 35-year-old Dwyane Wade numbers, you have to cut the check.
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Later, while enjoying life in the serene beauty of northern Italy, Wade responded to unnamed haters in a thought-provoking way. He asked his followers to consider what he’d be worth were he just 10 years younger.
This is a terrific point: Wade was very productive last year, and we’d be calling a young player putting up numbers like this a future star. $150 million isn’t quite right — it’s slightly difficult for a 25-year-old to sign a $150 million deal because of NBA salary structures and free agency timetables — but Wade is absolutely right: A 25-year-old putting up those kind of numbers deserves a massive contract.
It is lucky for the NBA, then, that Dion Waiters is a 25-year-old putting up those kind of numbers who happens to be a free agent.
Waiters put up 16 points per game in 30 minutes last season while shooting 42.4 percent from the field — all rather close to Wade’s 18 points in 30 minutes on 43.4 percent shooting. Of course, when Wade was 25 he was averaging 27 points per game while shooting almost 50 percent and had already won a championship and Finals MVP. But that’s irrelevant to the conversation. We’re talking about 25-year-olds putting up 35-year-old Dwyane Wade numbers, not 25-year-olds putting up 25-year-old Dwyane Wade numbers.
Unfortunately for Waiters, because he has only six seasons of NBA service and Miami does not hold his Bird rights, his maximum contract is $108.9 million over four years.
That’ll do.
I agree with Dwyane Wade, and I’m sure at least one brave NBA team out there does too: Dion Waiters should get the biggest possible payday allowed under league rules. Who will be the bold general manager who pays a 25-year-old Dion Waiters for 35-year-old Dwyane Wade production?
Cut the check.
Thanks as always to Basketball-Reference.com for the stats.
