Dwyane Wade: Playing for the Bulls is one of my dreams

Dwyane Wade explains his decision to sign with the Chicago Bulls.

Your teams on the go or at home. Personalize SI with our new App. Install on iOS or Android.

Dwyane Wade explained his decision to sign with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

Speaking at the Sports Illustrated and Variety Sports Entertainment Industry Summit, Wade told SI’s Lee Jenkins about his thought process when signing with the Bulls.

“As someone who understands the business, and have wants and needs, I felt this was the best decision for myself at this time,” Wade said of choosing the Bulls in free agency. “I’m also a guy who has a dream as well. And one of my dreams is always to play for my hometown team. And the time right now just came where it was perfect for me to do that.”

• Stephen Curry speaks out against gun violence at ESPYs

Wade, who spent the first 13 years of his career with the Heat, grew up in the Chicago area. He left the Heat after a reportedly contentious contract negotiation, turning down a two-year offer worth more than $40 million from Miami.

Wade won three championships with the Heat, winning Finals MVP in 2006 and the league scoring title in 2009. He is the Heat’s franchise leader in games played, assists, steals, field goals and points.