Dean Wade could be key Cavs’ defensive connector in bench stretches

With training camp close to being underway here for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Media Day set to commence on Monday, the 2022-23 season is on the horizon.

One of the crucial questions to arise heading into the upcoming season following the Cavaliers’ trade for Donovan Mitchell in a deal with the Utah Jazz has to be who begins the year as the starting 3?

Isaac Okoro and Caris LeVert seem to be among the favorites to land that spot, for one. To some extent, Dean Wade could be in the running, and while a longshot, Lamar Stevens could maybe be in the mix. Cedi Osman could perhaps have some case there, albeit not much of one, and he appears to be on the outside looking for in for every game-type of rotational minutes, if he’s not possibly traded. We’ll see on his outlook.

Circling back a bit, though, when it comes to Wade, with his defensive and off-ball offensive abilities in mind, he’d personally be my pick to open the year as the starting 3. Maybe the Cavaliers could potentially look to make another trade, this time to bring in a starter there with Caris LeVert perhaps as part of a deal. If not, Wade would have a real case.

But, whether or not Wade does start, I do personally believe he has a strong argument for his share of meaningful minutes at the outset of this coming season and/or looking onward. His traditional stat line last season of 5.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per outing didn’t pop out, however, he did a nice job defensively when his opportunities came, and he could be a defensive connector for Cleveland in some bench lineups, too.

Wade could be a key defensive connector for the Cavs, and could be a reliable player when bench contributors are involved in lineups, in particular.

It’s difficult to say definitively if Wade is going to be regularly involved in the rotation at the outset of the season.

He’s filled in as a sub at times, sure, and last season, did start in 28 games, of which Cleveland had a 15-13 record. He fared better as a catch-and-shoot player in those instances, too, for what it’s worth.

He should have a solid case to receive some minutes early this coming season for how he is a solid defender against opposing wings and forwards as well, though.

And whether or not he does start in the season ahead, he could be a player that can help other perimeter guys, and with him being usually in the right spots as a team defender, he could be a quality connector in stretches with other bench pieces, for example.

The 6-foot-9 Wade is typically sound with his contests, is in the right spots to dig against opposing drivers on the strong side, and on the weak side, consistently is there to help but also maintain defensive rebounding position.

Those sort of things shouldn’t be discounted for Cleveland this coming season, and can aid the defense overall and/or players such as Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who are the defensive anchors in general. Robin Lopez could stand to benefit from that in spurts as a shot contesting presence, too, to that point.

Furthermore, while the minutes-share was only 951 played last season, partly because of a partially torn meniscus ending his season early, of which he’s since fully recovered, Wade was among Cleveland’s more effective defenders in his minutes.

In his minutes, opponents had 5.5 points per 100 possessions less when he was in there last season, which placed in the 89th percentile, per Cleaning The Glass. And their offensive rebounding rate decreased by 3.8 percent, which placed in the 93rd percentile, per Cleaning The Glass again.

Objectively, Wade’s not going to be a key offensive guy when he’s in there, but his defense and intelligent off-ball play and spacial awareness helps maximize other guys when he is in games.

He could be a key defensive connector for the Cavaliers this coming season, which could aid others, especially at times with other bench contributors, too. It’s something to keep in mind at least regarding Wade, who turns 26 in November, provided he sticks around. His deal for this coming season is again non-guaranteed.