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Dwyane Wade Reveals De’Aaron Fox And Buddy Hield Helped Him Realize It Was Time to Retire

Dwyane Wade’s athleticism was in full display throughout his playing days. He possessed an insane quickness, speed and agility on the basketball court which allowed him to become a lethal two-way player, helping him sustain a successful long-lasting NBA career.

Although Wade was able to occasionally bank jumpers and use his high basketball IQ to his advantage, his game relied so much on speed and athleticism. So when injuries started to derail his body and father time started to catch up, Wade knew everything will come to an end, eventually.

Things became more apparent to him after he was matched up with two of the top younger guards, De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield. Speaking on ‘The JJ Redick Podcast’, Wade has made it known that his retirement plan was influenced by these two Kings players. 

“I knew it was over for me when these young guys came in and were running so fast. I think we were playing against Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox and Buddy (Hield), they were running and getting shots up in about three seconds and I was like, ‘I can’t even get back in three seconds let alone get a shot up in three seconds’. I looked at coach and almost said take me out because my ego wouldn’t let me. I knew it was time.”

Fox usually stands out because of his evident speed in transition. Not many can match up with Fox’s speed which makes him a dangerous threat in the open court. Meanwhile, Hield definitely isn’t as fast, but is quick to find his spots, get around screens and shoot 3-pointers.