Despite falling out with the Miami Heat over his contract demands when he hit free agency in the summer of 2016, Dwyane Wade made an emotional return to the franchise at the trade deadline earlier this month.

The veteran was able to build bridges with the organisation and was keen to return to South Beach and end his career with the team he spent most of his NBA career with.

The most important person he mended fences with was Heat president Pat Riley.

Wade and Riley shared a close relationship during their 13 years together in Miami but things turned sour between them over contract negotiations.

As the team was not willing to give the 36-year-old a big deal because of his age, he decided to join his hometown Chicago Bulls and end his association with the Heat.

But the pair were able to let bygones be bygones and Wade is delighted to be back 'home' in Florida and once again represent the team that drafted him.

In an interview with Michael Lee of Yahoo Sports, the three-time champion explained how a special gesture by Riley last month helped to facilitate his return.

"It sounds simple. But it's like, sometimes, as a kid, you just need that embrace from your father," Wade said. "Him coming to my agent's funeral, a very vulnerable time for myself and (Haslem), meant a lot to me.

"Just that warm embrace meant a lot to me as well. You know the business can get in the way. I understand that. I made the decision I made (to leave), but at the end of the day, I know that guy would run through a brick wall for me.

"And this organisation would. It felt right. I think that had a big thing to do with this trade happening to bring me back at this time."

Wade spent a year with the Bulls and half a season with the Cleveland Cavaliers this campaign, but everybody knows he belongs in a Heat uniform.

He's the franchise's all-time leader in games played, points, assists, steals and just about every other meaningful category.

"I was birthed here," Wade told Lee. "Going out to different teams, for me, was something personally, I needed to do. But also you get to see you're missing some things that helped you become the player you have been. The place you can get it back is here."

The 12-time All-Star showed that he's not done yet as he rolled back the years and nailed a clutch, game-winning shot to help Miami secure a 102-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.

Wade has revealed that he's unsure if he'll continue playing next season, but this moment shows there's still life in the old dog yet.