Knicks Rumors: Dwyane Wade Engaged In Contract Talks

New York Knicks Rumors: Could the Knicks be filling their shooting guard void with Dwyane Wade?

New York Knicks rumors have been coming fast and furious in the opening hours of NBA Free Agency. The Knicks have been tied to a number of players and look to be nearing a deal with former Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah.

Noah would fill a huge need for the Knicks in the middle, as they are currently without a starting center. Robin Lopez was traded to the Bulls in the deal that landed Derrick Rose with the Knicks.

While center looks to be filled, the Knicks have just as big a hole at shooting guard. Unlike center, where the Knicks have people on the depth chart in Kyle O’Quinn and undrafted free agent Marshall Plumlee, with Willy Hernangomez looking like he will come over after spending last season in Europe, shooting guard is barren.

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That is why there has been reports of them targeting some in free agency. Early in the process, it looked like Courtney Lee was their main target to take over at shooting guard. Shortly after, it was reported that it was instead Eric Gordon who was emerging as the Knicks top target. Evan Turner was also mentioned but he has already signed a massive four-year, $70 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.

While Lee and Gordon are still on the market, the Knicks could be going big game hunting at shooting guard. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Knicks could be setting their targets on Dwyane Wade. According to Windhorst, Wade is discussing a contract with the Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks.

The Miami Heat lifer had talks break down with the team earlier in the week, as he is looking to recoup some of the money that he has turned down in past seasons to help the organization. As a result, Wade is ready to test the market and see what other teams have to offer.

It makes sense that Wade is looking to maximize his earnings, as he has taken under market value deals in recent seasons to help open up cap space for the Heat. But, after seeing Hassan Whiteside agree to a four-year, $98 million contract Wade could be looking to cash in.

While it would be weird to see Wade in a different uniform, he is looking to get compensated for the money he has seemingly given back to the organization in the past according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

This could be a negotiating ploy by Wade, as he did something similar last season. He said that he was open to offers, but eventually returned to the Heat on a one-year, $20 million deal. The same thing could happen this summer, but the Heat will have to act fast as Wade is already engaged in talks with other teams.

The Knicks have a clear need at shooting guard that Wade would fill immediately. The Bucks, the other team that he played for, has a connection to him as he played college at Marquette. The Bucks have handed out free agent deals to Mirza Teletovic and Matthew Dellavedova, but are open to moving Greg Monroe to open up even more salary cap space.

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Landing Wade would be quite a coup for the Knicks, as they look to be in more of a win-now mode than people thought after acquiring Rose in a trade. Wade would continue that win-now trend, and would give the Knicks a dangerous starting lineup with Rose, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and potentially Noah.

The bench would need some work, but that is a starting five that they could convince veterans to join in a reduced role.