Dwyane Wade affiliating himself with the Utah Jazz was one of the more unexpected but welcome twists in franchise history. Wade had a rapport with former Jazz star Donovan Mitchell beforehand, but even after the Jazz traded Mitchell, Wade has remained part of the organization.
Even if he doesn't have a say in their moves, he knows what's going on and what the team wants. Even better, Wade understands that building a contender for the Jazz will be slow. In an interview with HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, Wade explained why, despite all the struggles have gone through, it's all worth it in the end.
"Everything is new, and you have to have patience. You have to be patient in your rebuild. I think that’s what the Jazz have been doing while trying to build a culture and put together an organization that practices a championship mindset from the top and eventually trickles down to the players.
"It’s a slow burn. It’s a slow build. But you’ve got to be in this for the long haul. You don’t just walk into this and win championships and be successful," Wade said.
Wade was part of multiple championship teams, having brought the Miami Heat the franchise's only three titles in 2006, 2012, and 2013. However, at the same time, he has been part of some pretty awful times back when he played in Miami.
It sounds like a distant memory now, but the Heat were once among the worst teams in the NBA when Wade was on the team. To be fair, they were bad during that particular season (2007-08) because of his rampant injuries, but still. Wade has been there, even if it wasn't for long, and to be fair, Miami picked itself back up because Wade's BFFs came to South Beach a few years later.
Everyone knows the Jazz don't have the same luxury. In the past, players have wanted to join them only because the team already has something good going for them, but they've never snared a LeBron James-like fish.
However, as Wade points out, the championship team the Jazz hope to build will be something they work for, not handed to them. It may mean a few more hard seasons to stomach, but it should all be worth it, even if it puts Lauri Markkanen's immediate future with the team in question for the time being.
Wade made it clear that he has no regrets about Jazz partnership
Wade also detailed his role with the team and how he feels to be part of the Jazz organization.
"I don’t have to do much. I just put my two cents in here and there where I feel like it’s needed. I’m also in a space where I get to learn anytime I want to about the game and so much about the business. It’s been an unbelievable relationship and partnership for me."
While having Wade be an investor doesn't significantly affect the Jazz's roster construction, it's cool to have one of the NBA's biggest icons of the 21st century by their side for as long as he has.