Miami Heat: Who will take over for Ellington and Johnson?

Miami Heat: Who will take over for Ellington and Johnson? by Allana Tachauer

Miami Heat will succeed if Dwyane Wade finds his groove in new role by Allana Tachauer

Should this year be Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade‘s last?

It was a Tuesday night in South Florida, and the AmericanAirlines Arena was transported back in time.

With 27 points on 10-for-16 shooting to his name, Dwyane Wade sealed the deal for the Miami Heat, giving them an 102-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. It was as if the superstar never left for the Chicago Bulls or Cleveland Cavaliers, as he reminded the arena just whose house it was.

Fans screamed “Flash,” “Vintage Wade,” “Father Prime,” stunned over the star’s incredible performance.

It was official: he was back.

But the question now is, for how long will he stick around? While Wade confirmed he will be ending his career with the Heat, he isn’t sure about playing beyond this year.

“I have told everybody around me that I am taking it after this season and go from there. It’s the first year I’ve ever went into the summer with that mind-set… This is the first summer I can say I’m just going into the summer and see how I feel and see the position this organization is in and go from there.”

Seems fair enough, given the guard turned 36 in January, this season marking his fourteenth in the league.

Yet, there are plenty of reasons Wade should give it one more go.

For starters, it would be a shame for the veteran to not close out his NBA run with a full year in Miami.

While Wade’s return via a trade on the deadline was more than Heat Nation could have hoped for, the team only has 21 more regular season games to go. Hardly enough time for both his teammates and his fans to really enjoy having him around once again. Especially given he has only averaged 22.7 minutes over the last six matchups. Signing a one-year deal this summer would ensure Wade gets the proper Miami sendoff he deserves.

Additionally, the Heat could certainly use his veteran presence moving forward. With guys like Bam Adebayo, Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow making up the future of the team, Miami seems to be embracing a youth movement. Something that Wade surely could help get off the ground.

Both Richardson and Winslow immediately grew close to the face of the franchise upon arriving in Florida, and are excited to have their mentor back.

“…I hope I can just learn from him and emulate some of the things he’s done,” said Richardson.

Although Wade has more than earned the right to hang it up this summer, the Miami Heat would be lucky to have him stick around beyond this year.