Dwyane Wade's current focus isn't on the decision he faces this summer, when he can exercise a $23.8 million player option for 2017-18.

It's about trying to get an up-and-down Bulls team to play with more consistency, via his on-court play and off-court leadership.

But when Wade makes that call, how the Bulls fare over the remainder of the season will be a big factor in a decision loaded with, in his words, many variables.

"I wouldn't lie to you and say no. Of course," Wade said, when asked if continued mediocrity would influence his decision. "I can't play this game forever. I just turned 35 and I have a number in my head on how long I want to play.

"It's tough in this league as well because a lot of it also depends on how much money you're willing to make. It depends on what city you're willing to be in. So it's a lot of variables to that. But no question about it, what happens throughout this year as I go into my summer, I'll definitely take a look at it. I take my career seriously and where I am and where I want to be. And I will do the same thing this summer."

Earlier this season, Wade said he isn't "ring chasing" at this stage of his career. He elaborated Tuesday.

"The reason I said that," he said, "was they asked me a question about going to the Cavs this summer, and I said: 'Well, I think they had, like, $2.4 million (in a salary-cap exception). It ain't that bad for me now. I do have three rings.'

"I mean, I wasn't willing to do that now, not at all, not at this point. When you're a veteran guy, some guys have taken those sacrifices. David West last year, he gave all of his money back to San Antonio. That's something he wanted to do. He wanted to put himself in position to win a ring (with the Warriors).

Dwyane Wade discusses his shooting in the Bulls' win over the Magic. (K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune) Dwyane Wade discusses his shooting in the Bulls' win over the Magic. (K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune)

"I have three. I've been in five Finals. So I don't need to do that. But it is a time where you want to be on a team that can compete too. So it's a fine line between what you really want. This summer, that's not what I wanted."

What Wade wants is to see the Bulls be more consistent.

"I'm in a position as a player to try to be my best self," Wade said. "The thing with this team — and I've been saying it all year — is you have to learn how hard it is to win. Some nights, we take the approach where we'll do anything to try to get a win. And some nights, we just go through the motions.

"It's hard to win in this league. We're experiencing that as a team and what these young players are learning. If we want to win from now to the rest of their career, it's going to be hard unless you're on one of those dynamic teams where you can just show up and everyone is so good that you win and don't even break a sweat too much."

Wade laughed when asked the obvious follow-up question: Like what he had in Miami with LeBron James and Chris Bosh? But Wade grew serious again when asked if he's concerned that the Bulls might hover near .500 all season, with little growth.

"I'm 35," he said. "I do get concerned, of course."

Still, Wade said his time with the Bulls has been positive.

"I just wanted to come here for this season, do my best from a basketball standpoint and also as a leader," he said. "See what kind of change to the culture you can be a part of. ... You just never know how it's going to shake out.

"Obviously, I'm not happy being 22-23, but there are things I'm happy with. I'm happy with Jimmy (Butler's) growth and our relationship. I'm happy with the organization and how they've approached things. But I'm not happy with our record. No one on this team is.

"But it's months away before I concern myself with (the player option decision). So I'll figure it out later."

kcjohnson@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kcjhoop