3 reasons Dean Wade should start at small forward for Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers have three of their starters written in stone. Perhaps one day they will need to decide between starting Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen at the 5, but for now they’ll lock down the power forward and center spots. Darius Garland will start at point guard for the Cavs for hopefully the rest of his career.

That leaves two decisions to make. One is at shooting guard, where the Cavs have as many as five options. The other is at small forward, where Lauri Markkanen was the surprise starter a year ago to form the famed “Tower City” lineup of three 7-footers. He is likely penciled in by the coaching staff to start again this year, if not written down in ink, but should they consider another candidate?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are likely going to start Lauri Markkanen at small forward. Instead, the Cavs should start Dean Wade for these reasons.

Yes, yes they should. J.B. Bickerstaff deserves credit for going outside of the box last year and finding a way to maximize the talent available in the starting lineup. He needs to show that same confidence and ingenuity this season and start someone over Markkanen at the 3: Dean Wade.

If starting Markkanen was bold last year, this would be even bolder. Wade is an undrafted fourth-year player on a non-guaranteed deal. Markkanen was the seventh-overall pick and is on a lucrative deal. Yet for at least three reasons, Wade is the clear choice over Markkanen. Let’s evaluate why.