Wade’s role with the Cavs

What do the Cleveland Cavaliers expect from Dwyane Wade this year? What does he expect from himself?

Dwyane Wade knows the role he’s supposed to have with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

A 15-year NBA veteran, Wade is a proven and accomplished player who Cavs general manager Koby Altman expects to help the team “a ton” both on and off-the-court. It’s not just the Cavs’ general manager talking up his newest addition, a three-time NBA champion and 12-time All-Star, his fellow players believe what Wade can do too, as evidenced by how hard players like Paul George and LeBron James recruited him to the team.

“The players understand what I can do and what I can bring from my knowledge of the game, from my ability to play this game, make plays, score when needed and what I can bring to the locker room.” For the Cavs, the locker room presence of Wade comes at a team when there could have been significant discord and perhaps even a falling out between some players amidst the Kyrie Irving trade and constant speculation that one of them will be traded sooner or later in a move made to appease James and keep him in The Land.

Wade is a player who will keep James’ spirits up and who understands the business of the game. When situations arise, like James’ constant quips about the team’s personnel (his teammates) last season, Wade is a player who can get James’ ear and that of his teammates. That was a role that seemed to belong to James Jones before he retired and joined the Phoenix Suns’ front office.

Must Read: What you missed from Wade's introductory press conference

Although there’s been speculation about whether Wade would start, Wade said that he and Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue didn’t talk about whether or not he would be starting.

“Me and Ty [Lue] just talked about role… [and] pretty much what I’ve always done.”

What has Wade always done? With career averages of 23.3 points, 5.7 assists, 1.6 steals per game and a career field goal percentage of 48.4, Wade’s been a masterful scorer with the high basketball IQ needed to make plays as a facilitator and defender. He’s been extremely efficient as well. Last year, Wade averaged 18.3 points, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 43.4 percent from the field.

While Wade certainly isn’t the player that launches himself at the rim with reckless abandon, as he was at the height of his powers, he’s still more than capable of scoring the ball. A seasoned NBA vet who came into the league as a point guard, Wade possesses the court vision and IQ necessary to make plays for himself and others. The only difference in Wade’s game last season was his inefficiency.

But as Wade said, “last year I wasn’t efficient but I wasn’t playing on this team neither.” Playing on a team with better spacing and enough talent to allow him to have consistently have one-on-one matchups should help Wade play to his strengths: slashing and scoring from the block.

So should having teammates that are expected to do the bulk of the scoring, like James, Kevin Love, Isaiah Thomas and Derrick Rose. That will make it easier for Wade to pick his spots, as last season it was only he and Jimmy Butler that could be counted on to score.

“I’m a pick of spot type of player”, Wade said. “When I have the ball in my hands I’m always a playmaker… and I’ve scored over 20,000 points this year so I can still put the ball in the basket.”

“I pick my spots” Wade reiterated. “I can attack on the block. I’m a great pick-and-roll player… from a scoring and passing standpoint.”

Wade isn’t wrong. King James Gospel’s Robbie DiPaolo has a nice piece on Wade’s fit with the Cavs and Fear The Sword’s Mike Zavagno has an in-depth article on what to expect from Wade on the court. Both articles are worth your time.

Wade, who shot 46.3 percent on post-ups last season, has a myriad of post moves on the block that he can unleash on a defender. His savviness on the low-block often takes perimeter players, especially the younger ones, by surprise. In truth, the only thing that might be able to match Wade’s flare off-the-court is his flare on it.

In the pick-and-roll, Wade is dangerous because of his basketball IQ, midrange shooting ability, finishing ability around the rim and his ability to deliver dimes to rolling big men, cutters or spot-up shooters. Last season, Wade made 44.0 percent of his field goals in the pick-and-roll and scored 43.5 percent of the time he attacked as a pick-and-roll ball-handler. These are the types of numbers that led him being in the 71st percentile as a pick-and-roll ball-handler.

Wade does expect to contribute as a three-point shooter this year.

“When they need me to stand in the corner… let Bron do his thing and be ready to shoot it”, Wade said.

Last season, Wade made 31.0 percent of his three-point attempts and has 28.7 percent from three-point range over the course of his career. Still, like most poor three-point shooters, the Cavs expect Wade to be able to aid their spacing with spot-up attempts in the corner. Wade made 47.6 percent of his corner threes last season although he only has only made 31.4 percent of his corner threes for his career.

Whether Wade starts or comes off the bench, his ability to be a spot-up shooter from behind-the-line will enhance their spacing and open up driving lanes for Rose, Thomas and James. The same is true for Rose and Tristan Thompson, who are both working on their corner threes. Their ability to space the floor will allow the team’s best players to play to their strengths.

As a result of their slashing, defenders will collapse and leave players like Love, J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver and Jae Crowder to spot-up behind-the-line, allowing them to play to their strengths.

It’s interesting that Wade didn’t speak about defense, as he was once one of the best defensive two-guards in the game until knee injuries sapped of the athleticism and physical health he needed to be a constant force on that end. Wade will still get some steals (or blocks) on the perimeter and jump passing lanes but those moments when he plays impact defense are few and far between.

He’ll be a solid team defender because he’ll recognize what opposing offenses are doing and have both the experience and IQ necessary to make timely plays and rotations. However, it seems as if even Wade doesn’t expect to be a lockdown perimeter defender. In fact, despite all the talk about Wade’s lack of shooting range as a reason he wouldn’t start, his defensive ability in comparison to Smith’s is another significant reason why.

Related Story: Will there be a rivalry between Kyrie and LeBron?

Wade will be a fine addition to the Cavs for this upcoming season. He knows his role and he’ll play it well.

The Cleveland Cavaliers preseason kicks off on October 4th.