Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul Recall How No. 3 Jersey Dispute Kept Them from Teaming Up in Miami [Video]

Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade are synonymous with the number three. They both have worn it throughout their whole careers, and it was the only reason they claim they did not play together in Miami with LeBron James. Dwayne Wade’s new podcast, ‘The Why With Dwyane Wade,’ had the pleasure of having one of the greatest point guards in NBA history for a sit down this past week where he detailed the trade that could’ve happened.

During their conversation, Paul and Wade discussed Paul’s journey, including his current battle with a hand injury and his expected return to playing in the coming weeks. Wade then brought up a past conversation where he, LeBron, and Paul had discussed the possibility of the Miami Heat’s General Manager trading for Paul.

Chris responded immediately, as he said he could visually remember it. He mentioned how he was sitting in his condo with his brother CJ, discussing the potential team-up.

“We talked for a while too, about what the team looks liked and how it will flow. I think it was CJ that said ‘What number you gonna wear?’ What number is he gon wear?!”

D. Wade chimed in recalling CJ questioning who would wear the #3 jersey.

“Somebody said ‘Who gon wear number three?’ … Silence messed the whole trade up. Cause CP could not wear number three in Miami, Wade said.

“I don’t know what they were going to do, because you were older you could’ve worn 33,” CP3 joked with D Wade.

“Nah nah I wasn’t older, I was Prime,” Wade said in rebuttal. “You were older than me. Because you were older than me you wear 33.”

As they go back and forth, they both realize that neither wanted to budge on the jersey number they both innately played in their whole career, which is also synonymous with their legacy.

“Riley didn’t pull the trigger, because CP wasn’t going to be able to wear number three,” Wade said.

Chris and Dwayne can laugh now as they reflect on the past.