The Chicago Bulls are willing to work with veteran guard Dwyane Wade on a buyout, according to Bulls president John Paxon.

John Paxson addresses potential Dwyane Wade buyout on @mullyhanley, saying #Bulls are "more than willing to work with him." pic.twitter.com/mZZ1OZNPwh — Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) September 21, 2017

"We haven't heard directly from Dwyane," Paxson told 670 The Score's Mully and Hanley on Thursday. "We've talked to his representatives, Gar [Forman] has been on the phone with his guy several times in the last few weeks ... but we understand where [Wade] is at this time in his career. We're more than willing to work with him."

Though the Bulls may be open to the idea of a buyout with Wade, such a move must be beneficial for the franchise.

"But as I said when we had the press conference to introduce the new players after the draft, we have to always do what’s in our best interest," Paxon said. "So there has to be something that is mutually agreed upon. It can’t be something the player wins because that’s what he wants. We want to work with Dwyane because we respect him very much. If he doesn’t want to be here, then we want to do [the buyout]. But again, the bottom line is always — and it has to be — that we have to do what’s in our best interest.”

Wade is now basically just playing the waiting game with the Bulls. The 12-time All-Star does not have an NBA future in Chicago, and both he and the organization know it.

At this point in time, it just seems to be a matter of when - not if - the buyout will occur. When it does, Wade, 35, will be free to sign elsewhere - Cleveland, anyone? - to pursue a fourth title.