Heat officially acquire Dwyane Wade, waive AJ Hammons

What was not too long ago talked about by none other than Dwyane Wade has become reality. It is officially Wade County again. The Miami Heat have announced that Wade is indeed returning, with the team sending out a protected 2024 second round pick to acquire the franchise’s greatest player today in a surprising NBA trade deadline deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“We feel that Dwyane can help our team in so many ways,” said Heat President Pat Riley. “It is a beautiful moment for us, for the city and for the fans. All of us embrace it in the manner that we want to win and that’s why we brought Dwyane back home. We look forward to having a great end of season run as we fight for the playoffs.”

To make room on the 15-man roster, the Heat also announced that center AJ Hammons, acquired from the Dallas Mavericks last summer in the necessary jettison of oft-injured Josh McRoberts, has been waived. Hammons never appeared in a Heat game and had been with the G-League affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce for the duration of this season, averaging 8.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.96 blocks and 20.2 minutes while shooting 53.6 percent from the field.

In case you need further proof of Wade’s career accomplishments, the Heat compiled a handy recap:

Wade, a three-time NBA Champion with the HEAT, played 12 seasons in Miami, appearing in 855 regular season games (845 starts) averaging 23.7 points, 5.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.65 steals and 35.7 minutes while shooting 48.8 percent from the field. The 12-time NBA All-Star is the HEAT’s all-time leader in points (20,221), field goals made (7,325), free throws made (5,185), double-figure scoring efforts (816), assists (4,944), steals (1,414), starts, games played and minutes played (30,560). He also ranks among the HEAT’s all-time leaders in blocks (2nd, 759), total rebounds (4th, 4,126), defensive rebounds (4th, 3,051), offensive rebounds (5th, 1,076), double-doubles (5th, 121), field goal percentage (7th, .488) and three-point field goals made (7th, 386). Additionally, Wade, the 2006 NBA Finals MVP, has appeared in 166 career postseason games (all starts) with the HEAT averaging 22.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.57 steals, 1.00 blocks and 38.4 minutes while shooting 47.7 percent from the field.

Wade is already on his way to Miami and will make his first appearance tomorrow at home against the Milwaukee Bucks.