After the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday night, former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade made a special appearance on the broadcast, sharing insights on the Miami Heat’s journey and engaging in nostalgic conversations with his longtime teammate, Udonis Haslem. During the postgame discussion, Haslem probed Wade about a nearly realized trade from their playing days that could have changed the face of the franchise.
Wade recounted a critical moment when he discussed a potential trade with team president Pat Riley that involved acquiring basketball icon Allen Iverson. Wade expressed his enthusiasm about the prospect, affirming, “Riles wanted to talk to me about the possibility of trading for Allen Iverson. That’s one of my favorite players… I was like, ‘Bet! Let’s do it.’ He said, ‘You in?’ I said, ‘I’m in.’ He said, ‘We have to trade UD.’ I said, ‘I’m out.’ That was it. I was out.”
The idea of having a backcourt featuring both Wade and Iverson was tantalizing, as the pair was known for their scoring prowess, averaging over 50 points collectively at the time. However, Wade highlighted his loyalty to Haslem, stating, “Listen, I love AI, but he wasn’t gonna stick up for me, he wasn’t gonna fight for me, he wasn’t gonna take no fines for me or nothing. Nah, I’m gonna stick with my homie and keep my guy here.”
Udonis Haslem, affectionately dubbed the “Mayor of Miami,” enjoyed a remarkable two-decade career with the Heat, participating in 879 games and securing three championships with the team.
While the notion of a Wade-Iverson pairing sparks excitement, it’s evident that the decisions made during that period ultimately benefited Miami, allowing both Wade and Haslem to create a lasting legacy together. The camaraderie and team chemistry forged during their time will be remembered as integral to the Heat’s success.
As the NBA season progresses, fans can continue to look forward to more deep dives into notable moments and stories that shaped the league and its stars.