Say whaaaaat? Let me start by saying I am not breaking any news here or predicting this will happen. I do not have secret information from an inside source or anything. I am simply looking at the situations of both Dwyane Wade and the Utah Jazz and pointing out that uniting could be a great win-win situation for both parties.
It appears right now that the Miami Heat do not want to give D-Wade the money or the respect that he deserves for what he has done of that origination. It looks like he is either on his way out of Miami, or he is going back for less $$$ than he deserves. If the Heat and Dwyane do go their separate ways, Wade might want to look at the Utah Jazz. The Jazz also should want to pursue D-Wade. The Utah Jazz could offer Dwyane Wade everything he could dream of from an organization and more. And Wade could be exactly what the Jazz are looking for.
What the Jazz bring to the table for Wade:
Money - Dwyane Wade could get more money from the Jazz than any other team is willing or able to offer. Because of the collective bargaining agreement (particularly how max contracts and the salary cap work), no big market team is going to give Dwyane a max contract. And most current contenders cannot afford to give him a max contract right now even if they wanted to. The Utah Jazz have been smart with their contracts and budget these last few years and have a TON of money to blow this off-season. They are already stacked full of young, potential-filled talent (Gobert, Favors, Heyward, Hood, Exum, Trey, Alec, Booker, etc) so they aren't particularly looking for any more young pieces. They don't need any more "nice pieces" or "supporting players." They are looking to give someone a max contract. A player to come be their final piece of the puzzle. Wade could make more money signing with the Jazz than probably any other team is willing (or able) to offer.
Low Stress - Dwyane Wade is getting older and has a past full of injuries. He should look for a team where he doesn't have to do "too much." On the Jazz, Gordon Heyward and Donte Exum would guard the other teams best players (LeBron, Curry, Harden, Westbrook, etc), so Wade doesn't have to work so hard defensively. Also, with Gobert and Favors down low, Wade could "cheat" for easy steals and close out on three point shooters knowing "The Wasatch Front" is in the key watching his back.
Playing Time- Wade doesn't want to go to a team where he does "too little" either. He wants to play. He doesn't want to go to a team to sit on the bench. Dwyane Wade would start on the Jazz, play as many minutes as he wants, and be the primary scoring option.
Winning - Wade wants to play for a contending team. The Utah Jazz, after trading Enes Kanter last year, finished the season going 19-10 (0.66) with a plus/minus over 5 and and allowing opponents to only 89 PPG. Since every player on that team is young and growing, they should be even better next year. The Jazz roster is currently a supporting cast missing a star. They were perhaps the best defense team in the NBA (after the Kanter trade). They have the tallest starting line up in the entire NBA. Dwyane Wade would be the missing piece and could really contend with this team.
Great Fans and Low Expectations - the Jazz fans are great. They love their players, whether they win or lose. The Utah Jazz have never won a ring, so the pressure of winning rings obviously isn't there. If you play for Utah, you will be loved. Even the least talented of players that only played in Utah for even only a few years (like Earl Watson and Trevor Booker to name a few) are still beloved by the fans. John Stockton and Karl Malone never won a title but there are statues built and roads named after them. Wade, if he were to go to Utah and win a title, he would be treated like a God. And if he were to go to Utah and not win a title, he would still be treated like royalty in Utah forever.
What Dwyane Wade brings to the table for the Jazz:
The Needed Position: The Jazz have a strong starting 4. Gobert and Favors as the bigs, Exum is the PG, and Heyward is one of the wings. Throughout the year, the Jazz experimented with different wing players. I believed the guy that started the most as the other wing next to Heyward was... wait for it... Joe Ingles! Imagine the upgrade Wade would be compared to Ingles. Elijah Milsap (Paul Milsap's brother) also started in that spot more than a few times. Rodney Hood and Alec Burks are getting better, but a great wing player like D-Wade would really complete that starting 5.
Scoring: The Jazz defense is great. It is their offense that they should look to improve. Heyward and Favors fine scorers, but they should be more of a secondary option than a #1 option. The Jazz could really use a guy that is their "go to guy." A primary scoring option. Favors, Heyward, and Exum are all-around players and Gobert right now is a defensive specialist. A #1 scoring option like D-Wade would complete that starting 5.
Leadership and Experience - Most of the players on the Jazz roster have little-to-no playoff experience. They could really use a veteran leader on that team that has "been there, done that." D-Wade has been to 5 finals, winning 3 times and has one finals MVP. His experience and leadership would do wonders for this Utah Jazz team.
Overall:
The Jazz are a small market team with a ton of money to spend this off-season. As a small market team, you're going to have to take big risks if you're going to win a championship in today's NBA. One of those risks includes "overpaying" for free agents like Dwyane Wade. Wade will not go to a small market team for the same amount as a larger market team, so you have to pay up. The Jazz, however, have more than enough money this off-season offer Wade more money than probably any other team.
If Dwyane does leave the Heat, he should look at the Jazz. The Jazz would be a great fit for him. He could probably get more money playing there than anywhere else. Their will be low stress, low expectations, and plenty of playing time without having to "carry the load." The fans are great. And he will have the chance to be the best player and leader on a contending team.
And if Dwyane does leave the Heat, the Jazz should try to go after him. The Jazz really could use a guy just like D-Wade. An experienced leader, superstar, #1 scoring option, wing player.
