The Miami Heat will someday retire Dwyane Wade’s No. 3 jersey, and in the meantime, that means not even the great Dion Waiters can rock it.
Waiters will instead wear No. 11 next season.
The 24-year-old inked a one-year, $2.9 million deal but insists that moving to South Beach had nothing to do with the dollar amount.
Per the Sun-Sentinel:
Wade had worn No. 3 for his 13 seasons with the Heat before signing this offseason as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls. Wade will continue with No. 3 in Chicago, with forward Doug McDermott agreeing to switch to No. 11 with the Bulls.
Waiters previously had bypassed the Oklahoma City Thunder’s since-rescinded $6.8 million qualifying offer for 2016-17 and took a pay cut from last season’s $5.1 million salary at a time when several teams have in excess of $10 million remaining in salary-cap space.
“Dion is not a Room Exception player,” (Heat President Pat) Riley said in a statement. “He wanted to play for the Miami Heat and chose to forgo other more lucrative financial opportunities to be a part of our championship organization. […] We are very honored that he made the commitment to come to South Florida and sign with us. Dion is young, athletic and explosive, which fits in with our roster. He will add a great dimension for us at the off-guard spot. I really like the depth and versatility that we now have in our perimeter positions. Welcome aboard Dion!”
