Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Dwyane Wade is staying in Miami, and Chris Bosh is joining him on South Beach.
Now the question is whether LeBron James will become the third member of the Super Trio.
“I’m back in Miami…I’m back in Wade County,” Wade said Wednesday on ESPN.
“I’m joining Mr. Wade in Miami,” Bosh said.
Both players said they would take less money in order to bring James aboard.
“It’s no secret that myself and Chris and Lebron are all good friends,” Wade said. “We all came into this league together and played together. But we all make our own decisions at the end of the day so of course we would love for LeBron to join Miami, who wouldn’t? But at the same time, LeBron’s going to make his own decision and that’s a decision that we all will be in front of the TV tomorrow to wait for.”
James will announce his decision on ESPN at 9 p.m. Thursday. He is said to be leaning toward staying in Cleveland but could opt to join Wade and Bosh in South Beach, or depart for Chicago, New York or New Jersey.
“Due to the unprecedented attention and interest surrounding LeBron’s decision, we have decided to make this announcement on national television,” James’ manager, Maverick Carter, wrote on LeBronJames.com. “By doing so we have generated funds that will be given to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. LeBron has a longstanding commitment to giving back to the community, and has worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs in cities across the country. For additional information and any other announcements concerning “The Decision,” check with LeBronJames.com”
By signing directly with the Heat, Bosh stands to make $96 million over five years. If he came to the Heat in a sign-and-trade, Bosh could receive as much as $125 million over six years.
Asked why he turned down a sign-and-trade that would have moved him to Cleveland from Toronto, Bosh said: “”I wasn’t sure if LeBron was coming back…and I wanted to leave that decision up to him…Miami was the best decision for me.”
Bosh and Wade can both command contracts that start at $16.6 million for 2010-11, but both could take less to bring James aboard.
“It’s not about the money,” Bosh said. “It’s not about anything else, except for winning. We’re going to bring winning to Miami.”
Wade also said he considered signing with his hometown Chicago Bulls, where his two sons now live. He faces a July 19 custody hearing.
“There was a time where things kind of swung,” he said. “I couldn’t make this an emotional decision.”
Heat president Pat Riley has said he would consider a return to coaching if players asked him to do so.
“Erik Spoelstra is our coach,” Wade said. “There is no question about it. He’s our coach. He’s Chris’ coach now. We’re looking forward to seeing him grow.”
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Dwyane Wade is staying in Miami, and Chris Bosh is joining him on South Beach.
Now the question is whether LeBron James will become the third member of the Super Trio.
“I’m back in Miami…I’m back in Wade County,” Wade said Wednesday on ESPN.
“I’m joining Mr. Wade in Miami,” Bosh said.
Both players said they would take less money in order to bring James aboard.
“It’s no secret that myself and Chris and Lebron are all good friends,” Wade said. “We all came into this league together and played together. But we all make our own decisions at the end of the day so of course we would love for LeBron to join Miami, who wouldn’t? But at the same time, LeBron’s going to make his own decision and that’s a decision that we all will be in front of the TV tomorrow to wait for.”
James will announce his decision on ESPN at 9 p.m. Thursday. He is said to be leaning toward staying in Cleveland but could opt to join Wade and Bosh in South Beach, or depart for Chicago, New York or New Jersey.
“Due to the unprecedented attention and interest surrounding LeBron’s decision, we have decided to make this announcement on national television,” James’ manager, Maverick Carter, wrote on LeBronJames.com. “By doing so we have generated funds that will be given to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. LeBron has a longstanding commitment to giving back to the community, and has worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs in cities across the country. For additional information and any other announcements concerning “The Decision,” check with LeBronJames.com”
By signing directly with the Heat, Bosh stands to make $96 million over five years. If he came to the Heat in a sign-and-trade, Bosh could receive as much as $125 million over six years.
Asked why he turned down a sign-and-trade that would have moved him to Cleveland from Toronto, Bosh said: “”I wasn’t sure if LeBron was coming back…and I wanted to leave that decision up to him…Miami was the best decision for me.”
Bosh and Wade can both command contracts that start at $16.6 million for 2010-11, but both could take less to bring James aboard.
“It’s not about the money,” Bosh said. “It’s not about anything else, except for winning. We’re going to bring winning to Miami.”
Wade also said he considered signing with his hometown Chicago Bulls, where his two sons now live. He faces a July 19 custody hearing.
“There was a time where things kind of swung,” he said. “I couldn’t make this an emotional decision.”
Heat president Pat Riley has said he would consider a return to coaching if players asked him to do so.
“Erik Spoelstra is our coach,” Wade said. “There is no question about it. He’s our coach. He’s Chris’ coach now. We’re looking forward to seeing him grow.”
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter
