Dwyane Wade talks about decision to leave Miami on 'Live with Kelly'

PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Dwyane Wade co-hosted Thursday on "Live with Kelly," one day after he announced that he is leaving the Miami Heat.

Wade spoke about his decision to sign with the Chicago Bulls.

"So what's up?" Kelly Ripa asked.

The studio audience applauded with laughter.

"I was more nervous about this than I was about anything that happened last night," Wade said.

Ripa then congratulated him on being the newest member of the Bulls.

"I am," Wade said. "It's still surreal. I'm still numb."

Wade spoke about his "13 incredible years" with the Heat and said it was a tough decision to make. Wade said he lost weight and couldn't sleep or eat.

He thanked Heat nation for his time in Miami.

"Our fans are just phenomenal," Wade said.

In the end, the lure of returning to his hometown to play for the team he grew up watching was what led him to leave Miami.

Ripa asked Wade if he remembered winter.

"We're going to have to get you a coat," she said.

Wade will sign a two-year deal with Chicago worth about $47 million.

The 12-time all-star spent each of his first 13 seasons in Miami, leading the Heat to three NBA championships and taking home the 2006 NBA Finals MVP award. Wade is the Heat's career leader in a number of major statistical categories including points, assists, steals and games played.

Miami drafted Wade with the fifth overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

He made the all-rookie first team and helped lead the Heat to a dramatic victory over the Hornets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Wade joined forces with Shaquille O'Neal the following season and helped lead Miami to the Eastern Conference Finals. The duo helped lead Miami to the NBA title the following season with Wade winning his Finals MVP trophy.

In 2010, Wade helped spearhead the effort that brought together the big three in Miami: Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh. The trio brought the franchise two championships in their four seasons together and made the Heat one of the league's most popular and, at the same time, unpopular franchises.

In his 13 years, Wade became perhaps the city's most beloved professional athlete ever. Fans lovingly refer to Dade County as "Wade County." Now, though, it appears he will finish his career in another city and another uniform.

The Miami Heat will honor Wade on Friday by exclusively featuring Wade images on its LED marquee outside the AmericanAirlines Arena. The team will also post Wade photo galleries and videos on all of the Heat's social media platforms and all Wade merchandise will be sold for $13 at Miami Heat store locations while supplies last.