This is area Cavs have to consider, regarding the starting 3 outlook

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Dean Wade, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Rebounding help would make a difference for the Cavs there

I understand that this season, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley will be grabbing the lion’s share of rebounds on a regular basis, and when they’re in there, Kevin Love, and I’d think Robin Lopez will aid the team from a bench perspective. This is on the defensive glass, of which I’m referring to mostly.

Still, having some help from the 3 spot in this aspect of games would be meaningful for Cleveland, and to me, that’s an area where Wade and Stevens could definitely make a difference, if either had a starting shot.

Now, Wade had 2.9 rebounds per game last season, and Stevens averaged 2.6 boards then. So I get that wasn’t the most notable thing then; they did so in 19.2 minutes per outing (Wade), and in 16.1 per outing (Stevens).

However, Wade’s had 6.1 boards per-36 minutes, with the past two seasons realistically in-play, and Stevens has had 6.2 per-36 in the same span.

In addition, while the minutes had variance of course with Wade last season, it was noteworthy that when he was in, Cleveland’s opponents’ offensive rebounding rate decreased by 3.8 percent, which graded out in the 93rd percentile last year, per Cleaning The Glass.

With Wade and Stevens, while neither are going to post gaudy rebounding splits, they do a nice job of helping Cleveland’s defensive rebounding positioning, and with both being capable of defending 3s and 4s on-ball, those are things Cleveland should keep in mind. Wade’s 6-foot-9 size and off-ball shooting are as well, and while his three-point shot needs work, the 6-foot-6 Stevens can create more on-ball than given credit for, and his off-ball feel as a cutter got better as last year progressed.

So, though other factors obviously are at play here, Cleveland should at least consider rebounding help from Wade and Stevens, with defense, too, regarding the starting 3 outlook. With the defensive element, it’s understandable that Cleveland is reportedly interested in Jae Crowder via trade, but it’s uncertain as to the compensation; that’s an entirely different conversation, anyhow.