Dean Wade’s case for Cavs playing time is evident

What about the offensive end?

I do acknowledge that Wade isn’t nearly the shooting threat of Markkanen, but Wade did hit 35.9 percent from three in his third season, and 36.6 percent the year prior.

As a catch-and-shoot guy, he’s solid, and while I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s much of a shot creation presence on-ball, he can knock in pull-ups after hard closeouts, drive occasionally, and he’s great as a finisher on cuts and in transition. That sort of thing is part of why Wade can help the team in a number of different lineup groupings, and one shouldn’t discount his feel within the team dynamic on the floor.

So, to me, Wade’s case for rotational minutes next season and/or perhaps onward as a defender, and meaningful off-ball presence is a solid one.

There’s others involved too, though, such as potentially Cleveland’s likely late-lottery pick that could feasibly be a wing, Lamar Stevens and Cedi Osman. I do think Wade could be fine with Stevens/Osman for some stretches, still, and he should receive some PT with Stevens.

The 25-year-old Wade, who will be in his age-26 season next, before that injury this season was continuing to provide quality play, regardless, and he could very well receive his share of meaningful opportunities in 2022-23. That’s set to be his fourth season with Cleveland.

His deal for next season is non-guaranteed, again, and he has a club option for then, which I’d assume should get picked up.