Dwyane Wade Blames LeBron James for Disrupted 2010 Bulls Superteam

In the summer of 2010, Dwyane Wade was set to leave the Miami Heat and return to his hometown to play for the Chicago Bulls, a move that could have created a powerful Bulls superteam alongside Derrick Rose. However, a pivotal phone call from LeBron James changed Wade's plans, convincing him and Chris Bosh to join James in forming the Miami Heat's 'Big Three,' which dominated the NBA by reaching four consecutive Finals and winning two championships. Wade expressed that while he enjoyed competing against LeBron, the call redirected his career path, delaying his eventual move to Chicago until 2016, by which time he was no longer in his prime. The Bulls’ failure to recruit LeBron was attributed partly to the absence of Derrick Rose’s personal recruitment efforts, which reportedly made LeBron hesitant about the Bulls’ offer. This moment is seen as a significant turning point in NBA history, highlighting how free agency and player decisions can reshape team dynamics and league rivalries. Wade’s reflections underscore the lasting impact of that 2010 free agency period on the league and the evolution of player empowerment.