Wade, Riley made up at agent's funeral
A brief encounter less than two weeks ago may have paved the way for Dwyane Wade's surprising return to South Beach.
The veteran shooting guard mended his strained relationship with Miami Heat president Pat Riley at the funeral for his late agent Henry Thomas, who died last month. The two hugged it out, which was all Wade required to feel assured he'd someday return to the Heat.
"The hug that we embraced was real and it was all we needed," Wade told the Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.
"That's it. That's all we both needed. I walked away and I felt better about everything, without even getting into anything."
Related - Wade predicted Heat return: 'I always felt that one day it would happen'
Wade stopped speaking to Riley because the exec didn't fight hard enough to keep him in 2016 free agency, making him feel unwanted and prompting his move to the Chicago Bulls following 13 years with the Heat. Riley was "floored" by the decision, and said he got caught up trying to get another star to complement his franchise player.
The Cleveland Cavaliers shipped Wade back to Miami ahead of Thursday's trade deadline in exchange for a heavily protected 2024 second-round pick.
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Wade, 36, is the Heat's all-time leader in points, assists, steals, and games. He won three championships and a scoring title with the club. He suited up Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks, coming off the bench.