Save the last dance: 5 noteworthy games on Wade's farewell tour
Dwyane Wade has one more NBA season left in the tank and then that's all she wrote.
A farewell tour of sorts was announced by the 36-year-old on Sunday night, as Wade will be returning to the Miami Heat for "one last dance" on an undisclosed deal before retiring.
Related - By the numbers: Where Wade could finish on all-time NBA lists
Every game on the Heat's 2018-19 slate is now significant, but perhaps none more than these five outings:
Home opener (Oct. 20 vs. Charlotte Hornets)
Wade is undeniably the most important, and perhaps recognizable, face in the Heat's 30-year history, which is why it felt so out of place to see him suiting up for the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers to open the past two seasons.
All is right in the universe with Wade back in Heat colors to bookend his 16-year career.
Kemba Walker, Tony Parker, and the visiting Hornets will be the first of 41 home matchups for Miami, which has a pair of road outings before taking the floor at American Airlines Arena.
Basketball royalty (Dec. 10 at Los Angeles Lakers)
Wade and LeBron James entered the Association separated by four picks in the 2003 draft.
They've been rivals, combatants, and teammates on a pair of championship rosters, but through it all, the two superstars have maintained a friendship that supersedes anything that happens professionally.
It's the King and Flash one last time under the bright lights of Hollywood. The stars will be out, and the eyes of the basketball world will be watching closely.
No place like home (Jan. 19 at Chicago Bulls)
Wade was fortunate enough to live out a childhood dream by competing for the Bulls in 2016-17.
It was an opportunity for him to be with an organization that influenced his love of the sport and allowed him to be closer to a majority of his family members who still reside in the Windy City.
A Heat-Bulls meeting in January isn't sexy on paper but it should hold a special place in Wade's heart and those close to him.
Banana Boat buddies (Feb. 28 at Houston Rockets)
Friends to the end, and Banana Boat brothers (yes, Carmelo Anthony isn't in the infamous photo) for life.
LeBron once said he'd willingly take a pay cut so he could join forces with Wade, Anthony, and Chris Paul for "maybe one or two seasons" at the tail end of their respective careers. We've seen up to two of them come together over the years, and now we know we'll never see all four.
Surely Wade would love to get one over Anthony and Paul's Rockets at the Toyota Center for bragging rights, which he could playfully throw in their faces on their next group vacation should Miami emerge victorious.
End of an era (April 10 at Brooklyn Nets)
It would be surprising to see the Heat fail to qualify for the postseason, and a major disappointment considering the circumstances. Nonetheless, should they fall short of a top-eight seed, the Nets would hold the distinction of being the last team Wade ever faces.
We should know well in advance of this season finale if the Barclays Center will host Wade's swan song, at least.
If his journey doesn't end here, have a box of tissues on standby in the opening round and possibly beyond, based on where the Heat find themselves in any best-of-seven series.