San Antonio Spurs: Pros and Cons of potentially signing Dwyane Wade

San Antonio Spurs, NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Chicago Bulls reacts after he is callled for traveling in the first quarter New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 12, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The San Antonio Spurs reportedly have interest in Dwyane Wade. What are the upsides and downsides of this?

The San Antonio Spurs’ offseason felt like it was over, especially with training camp on Tuesday, Sep. 26. Rudy Gay, Joffrey Lauvergne and Brandon Paul were all acquired in the offseason. That doesn’t include the re-signing of Patty Mills, Pau Gasol and Manu Ginobili. Derrick White was also selected in Round 1 of the 2017 NBA Draft.

There’s potentially more on the way for the Spurs, however.

The Chicago Bulls and Dwyane Wade agreed to a contract buyout on Sunday night, which ended their relationship after one season. There are multiple teams with interest in his services, including the Spurs. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Oklahoma City Thunder are other options.

Sources: Cleveland, San Antonio and Miami are leaders for Dwyane Wade post-Bulls buyout. OKC could become factor too.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 25, 2017

Wade will impact any contender he potentially joins as a veteran presence, whether that’s as a starter or off the bench. That goes for the Spurs if the team signs him.

If Wade joins San Antonio he’ll bring three NBA championships. The first came in 2006, which was with Shaquille O’Neal. The other two, 2012 and 2013, were on the Heat. These were the “Big 3” teams that featured LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

Along with this, Wade brings 14 years of NBA experience. He started in 2003, as Miami selected him No. 5 overall. The years since include the previously-noted championships, multiple All-Star Game appearances and an abundance of other accolades. Could there be more to come for Wade in San Antonio? If the organization adds him, there’s upside and downside to the situation.

If the organization adds Flash, there’s upside and downside to the situation. Let’s look at the pros and cons of him in the Alamo City.

Next: Should be inexpensive

CHICAGO, IL – JULY 29: General manager Gar Forman of the Chicago Bulls (L) listens as Dwyane Wade speaks during an introductory press conference at the Advocate Center on July 29, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Pro: Should be relatively inexpensive

Dwyane Wade had an expensive contract with the Chicago Bulls. He was set to receive $23.8 million for the 2017-18 season. According to KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, Wade will get $8-10 million of the $23.8 million in the buyout.

Per source, Wade gave up in the neighborhood of $8-10M of the $23.8M the Bulls were contractually obligated to pay him.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) September 25, 2017

If so, that means Wade will get between $13.8-15.8 million for the upcoming season. It’s a steady amount of cash. However, it was bigger about three years ago. That was until the salary cap exploded and paid players like James Harden over $30 million per year.

Con: Someone’s roster spot is in danger

The San Antonio Spurs have a full roster for the 2017-18. Actually, with London Perrantes’ spot, they’re at 16 spots. That doesn’t count Matt Costello and Darrun Hilliard (two-way contracts) and Jaron Blossomgame (signed a G-League contract).

If the Spurs sign Wade, someone’s roster spot will be in jeopardy. Let’s look at how this can play out.

Perrantes is the obvious first choice to go. He might just be a camp body for the Spurs and someone they can send to the G-League to monitor. Without NBA experience, that’s the best option for the organization if they want to keep him.

With the guards already ahead of Perrantes, that hurt his chances in the first place to make the roster. The acquisition of Wade only furthers that.

Derrick White would be a candidate to play in the G-League. Like Dejounte Murray, the Spurs can send him to Austin to get consistent playing time. With a veteran like Wade around, that would be difficult to come by. Couple that with Tony Parker’s impending return.

Bryn Forbes is the other option. He dominated the 2017 Summer League and has a guaranteed contract for the 2017-18 season. It’s only for slightly over $1 million, however. That makes it cheap to waive and trade. If a team needs an extra shooter, could they call San Antonio?

Someone’s roster spot will be threatened by Wade. Who would be the first to go?

Next: Another veteran presence

Pro: A veteran presence with title experience

Veterans already fill up the San Antonio Spurs roster. Manu Ginobili, Pau Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Tony Parker, Patty Mills, Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard fit this bill, all of whom have at least five years of NBA experience. All but Aldridge won an NBA championship, too, with Parker and Ginobili’s four titles (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014).

It can’t hurt to continue this trend, right? Dwyane Wade adds this title-winning experience to the Spurs, with his wins in the previously-noted years.

Wade brings nearly 15 years of experience to the table. He’s seen it all, from titles to playing with the best players in the NBA and being one of the most decorated players of the 2000’s. Ginobili and Parker did this in the same period, so these three can relate and be the veterans to guide the Spurs’ younger players. Gasol can’t be forgotten, either, with his two titles and high-end performance for the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers in the 2000’s.

Look for Wade to contribute to this team on and off the court. His presence will be valuable to the organization, as he brings experience and credibility to a team that already has it established.

Next: Questionable fit

MILWAUKEE, WI – DECEMBER 15: Dwyane Wade /

Con: The fit is questionable

Dwyane Wade could be an affordable piece that helps the younger part of the roster. Outside of that, his rotation and team philosophy fits are question marks.

Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Brandon Paul, Manu Ginobili, Bryn Forbes and Derrick White have shooting guard ability for the San Antonio Spurs. Even Patty Mills does, if he gets regulated after Tony Parker returns.

It’s a lot of bodies as it is, and to add more might be overkill. Sure, the backups to Green (Leonard will start at small forward) aren’t top-notch, but it’s four players already behind the starter. Wade would be an upgrade over all of them, however, so will the team make room for him?

The Spurs were the best team in the NBA at 3-point percentage in the 2016-17 season (over 39 percent). Wade is a career 28 percent shooter from long distance, which is hardly marksman numbers. He shot 31 percent from there last year, but on 2.4 shots per game. Still not good.

Wade might make it difficult for certain Spurs lineups to stretch the floor. He’ll need the ball to drive to the basket or take a mid-range shot. With the way the NBA trended over the past few years, that won’t cut it. Unless he improves his shooting, there will be issues for him on not just the Spurs but any team. Age 35 isn’t the best time for this to happen.

Limitations come with Wade’s game. Will the Spurs look past them?

Next: Bench depth

CHARLOTTE, NC – APRIL 25: Teammates Dwyane Wade /

Pro: Ultimate bench depth

Fit and roster questions aside, Dwyane Wade still proved to be a fine player in the 2016-17 season. He put up 18.3 points and had 1.4 steals, so his impact was felt on both sides of the court.

Wade is obviously not what he used to be, though. His Player Efficiency Rating was 18.5 last season, the lowest since his rookie campaign in 2003-04. That can be attributed to his career-low 0.9 Offensive Win Shares.

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For a bench player, that’s not terrible, which is what he should be on the San Antonio Spurs. He provides an offensive spark off the pine and scores in bunches, with the ability to hit a clutch shot or two when needed.

Defensively, Wade is still productive. He had 2.5 Defensive Win Shares for the Bulls. It didn’t represent the top-end defender he was for the Miami Heat, but showed he can still provide quality play on the grittier end of the game.

Wade and Gay would contend for the sixth man role. If the latter regains his offensive form from an Achilles rupture, he’ll get the top spot off the bench. He can shoot from 3-point range which, himself or not, provides the edge. It’s instant offense, more than Wade may provide.

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Wade makes for an excellent seventh man, though. He’ll provide double-digit points and solid defense, with some ability to handle the ball, too. That’s a major upgrade for the bench and depth that can’t be matched by many.

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