Dean Wade could get some rotational minutes for the Cleveland Cavaliers next season.
Dean Wade showed some good things for the Cleveland Cavaliers in preseason action, and while he won’t be an every game-type of player, he’ll seemingly get some spot minutes here and there.
Wade, who was previously on a two-way deal with the Cavaliers last season, was mostly in action for the Canton Charge, Cleveland’s G League affiliate, in 2019-20.
With them, he had 14.2 points per outing, and showed nice spot-up ability. Also with Canton, Wade hit 39.9 percent of his 4.6 three-point attempts per game, mostly via off-the-catch scenarios, whether that be via spot-ups or pick-and-pops.
Wade showed some quality shooting at times out of the mid-post, too, and seems to move without the ball effectively, in a general sense. That was shown when he was out there in some spot minutes with Cleveland here and there, too, and Wade runs the floor well.
So to circle back quickly, while again I wouldn’t expect Wade, who later on signed a multi-year deal, albeit his deal is non-guaranteed from here on, to play much, he could help his case for some rotational minutes early on.
Kevin Love (right calf strain) and Larry Nance Jr. (concussion/sprained jaw) could seemingly miss Cleveland’s first regular season game of 2020-21 versus the Charlotte Hornets, based on a report from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
Factoring in that, and with how Wade did show some positive things in preseason, we could seemingly see Wade some in action early on, which could maybe aid his case for rotational minutes at times, maybe in big lineups.
Wade could potentially get some burn at the 4 early on for the Cavs.
Wade didn’t play much at all with the Cavs in his rookie season, as evidenced by him being active in only 12 games, and having 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 5.9 minutes per appearance. Albeit he was an undrafted player.
Early on next season, however, I would imagine, considering he’s in-line to be around, that some burn could be feasible for him at the 4.
If Love and Nance can’t go, that’d realistically make it appear Wade could get some burn. I’d think that at least for perhaps a game or two, Cedi Osman could fill in as Cleveland’s starting 4, with Wade in there for some rotational 4 minutes.
Now, let’s not read a ton into it here, and Thon Maker seemingly could be in the mix for some minutes at the 4, a bit in big lineups with either Andre Drummond or JaVale McGee at the 5, or at the 5. But Wade early on could provide a potential stretch 4 element, whether or not Love or Nance are unable to go in say, 10-13 rotational minutes.
We’ll have to see if Wade can stick around as next season progresses, of course. Albeit if he can provide some competent defense/rebounding/screening activity, and is engaged offensively, that could help his case looking onward.
In preseason, Wade looked good and was asserting himself as a shooter. He hit 46.7 percent of his three-point attempts, and had 7.8 points per outing in those contests.
Now, I know, I know, I know. It was only preseason action, but early on next season, if Wade does get burn at the 4 in some spurts, perhaps he could help his case for occasional rotational minutes if he’s engaged offensively.
If Love and/or Nance end up getting the go-ahead, though, Wade would be again hard-pressed for minutes, and generally, I wouldn’t expect him to be necessarily a regular bench contributor. As KJG’s Robbie DiPaola detailed, Nance seems due for a continually expanded role, too.
But if he can provide some of a spark, if he does get burn early on for Cleveland, maybe we could see more of Wade next season in some meaningful minutes. I’m not at all saying I’m necessarily expecting that to play out, though.
It’ll be interesting to see, regardless.