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Report: Miami, L.A. appeal to Wade if bought out; Cavs still front-runner

Joe Murphy / National Basketball Association / Getty

The Cleveland Cavaliers remain the perceived front-runners to sign Dwyane Wade if the Chicago Bulls buy out the veteran wing, but two other locales have apparently appeared on the future Hall of Famer's radar.

The Miami Heat, whom Wade guided to three championships from 2003-16, and Los Angeles have emerged as appealing destinations, an associate of Wade told the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson.

Though Jackson did not clarify which Los Angeles-based team had caught Wade's attention, the Blake Griffin-led Clippers have made the playoffs in six straight seasons, and could offer Wade a better chance to contend for title No. 4 than the Lakers, who haven't made the playoffs since the 2012-13 season.

In Miami, both current star Hassan Whiteside and Heat lifer Udonis Haslem have expressed their desire to bring the Heat's all-time franchise player back into the fold.

Before a potential reunion in South Beach occurs, though, the draw of once again playing alongside LeBron James seems likely to lead Wade to Cleveland in the event that he's bought out.

The 35-year-old averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in his first season playing for his hometown Bulls. With Chicago rebuilding through youth, though, the team's reportedly looking to move on from Wade and at least a portion of the $23.8 million left on his contract this coming season.

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