Cavs: Was the ‘D. Wade 5’ last season’s best lineup?

Cavs: Evaluating the D.Wade 5 lineup – Verdict and Outlook

It’s clear that based on the numbers, film and sample size this lineup was a strong contender for the Cavs’ best last year. It may have played conservatively with limited nuance but there was cohesion, versatility and purpose. This five-man combination proved it could be called upon in a variety of situations the Cavs faced, holding its own and then some. The ‘D. Wade 5’ was the real deal.

With training camp imminent, the big question is how much might we see the ‘D. Wade 5’ in 2021-22? Despite drafting Evan Mobley and signing Lauri Markkanen, the answer could be quite a bit. Larry Nance Jr. is gone, Kevin Love’s status is awkward at best and Mobley’s development will need time. Markkanen hasn’t exactly been the standard for durability either. An injury or absence could see this lineup being important for a Cavs team seeking relevance again.

J.B. Bickerstaff may have no choice but to play this lineup. He may need more defensive versatility against a particular player or unit. He may just need to steady the ship for a few minutes or a quarter. He might just want to see Dean Wade on the floor doing Dean Wade things. With an extra season of experience, I would expect to see them early and often.

So, what’s the final verdict then? Was the ‘D. Wade 5’ last season’s best lineup for the Cleveland Cavaliers? Captain Obvious says yes.

Thanks to InStat’s lineup filtering tool for the video clips (subscription only).