Dean Wade could be a rotational contributor for the Cleveland Cavaliers if he makes continued strides in his development.
Dean Wade finished his rookie season averaging 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.6 minutes per game for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wade started the season in Canton with Cleveland’s G-League affiliate, the Canton Charge, and immediately began his development process.
Even after a call-up in January, the 6-foot-9 power forward didn’t contribute much for the Cavaliers, and with him being on a two-way deal, that wasn’t unexpected. Albeit after being awarded a standard deal in June, it’s clear the Cavaliers hope for more continued development from Wade.
Granted, following the formal end of 2019-20, Wade’s deal is non-guaranteed, but he did show stretch big potential this season with the Charge, so perhaps he could make the team and/or maybe stick around. Development-wise, Wade had meaningful experience with the Charge in 2019-20.
Looking good in the G-League is key for any undrafted player, and Wade did that with a 14.2 point, 7.6 rebound and 2.3 per game assist average in 30 games, of which he started 29. He hit 39.9 percent from three-point range, too.
Besides playing time, however, Wade has an important piece in his possible development. The five-time All-Star, NBA Champion and big money contract power forward starting over him. Kevin Love has changed his game, body and mind and his career since he arrived in Cleveland.
Considering that, Wade could benefit greatly from Love taking him under his wing if the latter sticks around with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In the summer of 2014, Kevin Love was traded to the Cavaliers for Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the trade involved the Philadelphia 76ers as well. From the Cavs’ perspective, though, Love’s reputation at the time was as a heavy power forward that mostly banged in the post and made plays from the elbows, and was beginning to step out for more three-pointers.
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By the time Cleveland entered its first postseason run with Love, that reputation had changed. Love lost 30 pounds that summer, of which Quenton Albertie, previously of KJG, highlighted, and that aided his ability to step out and lean into a floor spacing role.
That was then for LeBron James and others, and Love has kept that weight off ever since.
Love’s conditioning, diet knowledge, and fitness motivation are superb. With that being the case, Love can offer to Wade an example of taking care of yourself at the NBA level, too, and if Wade sticks around with the Cleveland Cavaliers, that’d be invaluable to him.
Love’s fitness also offered a change in playing style. Despite Love getting more comfortable from three-point range over his career, and hitting 37.4 percent of a career-high 7.0 three-point attempts per game in 2019-20, Love was a low post player naturally early on.
Back issues, most notably, make it seem more feasible for Love to be more of a floor spacer going forward and mid-post player, as opposed to primarily a low-post scorer, as KJG’s Dan Gilinsky alluded to.
But overall, Love has adapted his game from using his weight down low to being more of an off-ball perimeter shooter that is capable of making things happen off movement. That helps spread the floor for drivers/slashers, such as Collin Sexton and Kevin Porter Jr., and his back injuries were not at all due to a lack of being in shape.
Daily work and knowledge from the 5-time All-Star should rub off on Dean Wade if Wade is able to stick around.
Leaning on Love when team workouts are able to conduct leading into next season, given the novel coronavirus pandemic, but also at least picking Love’s brain some via Zoom calls, etc. now it would seem, should only help Wade’s chances.