Cavs: Evaluating 3 deep reserves pressed into service

Cavs; Evaluating 3 deep reserves – Dean Wade

Dean Wade has started the last nine games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, so he might not seem to qualify for a piece evaluating the “deep reserves” of the team. Yet to start the season Wade was not in the rotation, with a pair of DNP-CDs (Did not play – coach’s decision) early on and only a handful of minutes in garbage time.

Then Kevin Love was placed in health and safety protocols, and the shift to cover his minutes at center opened up a need for another forward. When shortly thereafter Lauri Markkanen followed Love into the protocols, it was Wade getting the start in his place to preserve the team’s jumbo “Tower City” look, even if Wade is not quite as towering as Markkanen.

Wade has been more than solid since entering the starting lineup. Understanding his role he found ways to contribute outside of hoisting shots, specifically his excellent defense. Wade moves his feet very well, which allows him to survive when switched onto smaller, faster player. His strength is an asset when defending bigs, which is why lineups with Wade at the 4 last season did so well.

As the injuries mounted, the need for Wade to do more increased, and he again rang the bell. He played 35, 37 and then 40 minutes the last three games respectively, averaging 7.3 rebounds and shooting a reasonable 5-of-14 (35.7 percent) from 3-point range. In the Cavs’ most recent loss to the Warriors, Wade played better than probably anyone, hitting 7-of-13 shots for 17 points, nine rebounds and a whopping five assists.

The shot comes and goes a bit for Wade, but he is willing to take it and defenses seem to respect it now. What is even more impressive is if Wade can develop into a playmaking option, either at the elbow or as the roll man after Darius Garland gets doubled on the perimeter. Jarrett Allen is a thunderous roll man but his short-roll passing is unrefined; Wade offers an option who can pop out to 3, roll to the rim or find the open player as he catches in the paint.

Add all of it up, and Wade looks like an excellent choice to remain in the rotation moving forward. He certainly will for the next few weeks until Evan Mobley returns. Look for J.B. Bickerstaff to continue starting Wade with Lauri Markkanen as the two forwards. When Mobley returns he will  most likely slide to the bench, but he can serve as the primary backup to Markkanen and Mobley at either forward position.

The absence of Collin Sexton all season indirectly opens up some space for Wade, as Cedi Osman and Dylan Windler will be needed to play more minutes at the 2. Wade has almost certainly passed Lamar Stevens in the rotation, and it’s possible he even shaves a few minutes from Markkanen. He has been reliable all season long, and his positional and role versatility makes him a coach’s dream as a rotation piece.

Dean Wade has earned a spot in the rotation after stepping up to fill needs with his teammates out. While there is no room for Ed Davis with a healthy frontcourt it’s reassuring to know he is ready if needed. Denzel Valentine played hard but the production just isn’t there, and he’ll fall back to the bench. Overall, the Cavs should feel good about what they got from their deep reserves during two weeks of absolute insanity from a health standpoint. This team, for the first time in a while, has some real depth to it.