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Position Battles: Dean Wade vs Lamar Stevens for Cavs’ backup wing

By Quinn Minnich

Dean Wade, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)
Dean Wade, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Dean Wade, Cleveland Cavaliers and Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks. Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images /

Cons for playing Dean Wade

As I mentioned, Wade is 6“9, so theoretically he should be a strong rebounder. Unfortunately, that has not been the reality. Wade only averaged 2.9 rebounds per night while playing 19.2 minutes a game. This could be due to the fact of his vertical not being the best.

According to hoopsprospects.com, he was measured to have a vertical of 36“. While that’s a solid vertical, it definitely could be better. Wade often seems to lack the hustle needed to grab a rebound, which is okay when you remember that the Cavs have excellent rebounders in Kevin Love, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. However, if Wade wants to improve, his rebounding needs to improve.

Wade is not the best perimeter defender in the world and considering he started some games at the 3 this year when Lauri Markkanen was out with injury, it really hurt the Cavs, as his lateral quickness is not good enough to guard the best wings in the league. In his defense, he’s more suited to be a power forward than a small forward, but even so, he should be somewhat decent on the perimeter when it comes to defense. The Cavaliers already have floor spacing off of the bench, with Caris LeVert and Kevin Love both coming off the bench, and defense is not a strong suit for Love or LeVert, nor is it for Wade.