Wade joins James on Cleveland Cavaliers with a one-year contract

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Dwyane Wade confirmed on Wednesday that he has picked the Cleveland Cavaliers for a one-year, 2.3 million U.S. dollars deal and will pair LeBron James again after their success at the Miami Heat.

"There's no better place to be right now to continue to play and compete at the highest level," Wade said in a statement posted on his social media account. "Cleveland believes in my talents and what I can bring to a championship contender both as a player and leader. I look forward to reuniting and playing alongside my brother LeBron. We've already won two championships together and I hope we get a third."

After playing for Heat for about 13 seasons, Wade joined his hometown team Chicago Bulls last year, but he was underperforming in the past season due to consistent injuries. He said playing for his hometown team is always a dream but has to take his future into consideration.

"I've always dreamed of playing for the Chicago Bulls and I feel so fortunate to have fulfilled my dream this past year. The team is now heading in a different direction, which has made me re-evaluate where I need to be in this phase of my career.

"Being a part of a team that is in the process of rebuilding doesn't align with where I want to be right now no matter how difficult that decision may be," he added.

James can hardly contain his excitement for his close friend's arrival. He said it feels like a brothers reunion. "It's kind of like when you start school and you walk into the classroom and you're not quite sure who your classmates are and when you walk in there and one of your best friends is there, you're like, Oh, this is going to be fun. It's going to be a good class."

James and Wade previously played together for four seasons with the Heat, winning two championships and reaching four NBA Finals.

James admitted that he has spoken to his friend after Wade reached a buyout agreement with the Bulls over the weekend.

The Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and his former team Heat all aimed for Wade, but Wade, hoping to reach a new high in his career, chose to play for his best friend's team.

Wade, who grew up in Chicago, averaged 18.3 points and 3.8 assists in 60 games for the Bulls last season.