Wade being out recently has meant more than some Cavs fans may think

Over the course of his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, I’ve grown to be a big fan of what Dean Wade has provided for the team. Originally an undrafted, two-way signing out of Kansas State, Wade has gradually found his way with the Wine and Gold over time, and in the past couple of seasons prior to this one, he got more chances.

Last season, he made his imprint more on defense, and he’s established himself as a respectable catch-and-shoot player, and timely cutter when that’s been sensible. To begin this season, Wade was able to make an impact as well, and thus far, aided the team on defense, and early on, has averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per contest.

In games Wade has appeared in this season, the Cavaliers have gone 8-3, and among regular rotational players for Cleveland, Wade has led the club in net rating, at a mark of 18.3. He hasn’t played nearly as much players such as Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, but Wade was effective in four starts, of which came partly because of Darius Garland was sidelined with an eye injury, and Wade has been a crucial bench contributor.

Now, unfortunately, Wade is currently dealing with knee soreness, and has missed the past three games for the Cavaliers. He’s doubtful for Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, and it’s uncertain as far as the timeline for him; perhaps we’ll see Wade back during Cleveland’s four-game homestand ahead. The team exercising caution in this situation is the right call, though.

Anyways, the Wine and Gold have dropped five straight contests, and while Wade was active in those first two Ls, to me, his absence has definitely been felt. That’s not discounting Jarrett Allen’s absence due to ankle soreness and non-COVID-19-related illness in the past two games (he’s questionable Friday regarding the illness). Still, it’s just also been telling how Wade being out has been detrimental to the team.

Wade’s absence of late has meant more than some Cavs fans may think.

Wade has been off to a great start this season, as we touched on his averages, and thus far, he’s connected on 50.0 percent of his three-point attempts, at 18-of-36 on the season. His catch-and-shoot play has aided the club’s ball and man movement, and he’s been able to knock down looks as an additional shooter in lineups with Kevin Love and/or Cedi Osman, which has made a difference, in turn, for driving threats.

Plus, as we expressed, Wade has helped the Cavaliers efforts with his defense of opposing forwards and wings, and in these games he’s been out, Cleveland’s secondary rotations have seemed a bit off for stretches. One could see that throughout the loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, for example, especially in the first half.

Wade’s 6-foot-9 frame and length has been missed against bigger wings at times as well, which has made things tougher for Caris LeVert and Isaac Okoro, too, leading to some more help needed from the interior. There’s been sequences that have then lead to sprayout feeds from there, and opponents have punished the Cavs in that way.

There are still some difficult matchups for Wade, but by and large, he has been competent for Cleveland in that area, and typically when he’s out there, it gives Cleveland another meaningful team defender to dig into driving lanes or deter entry feeds. That aids both the guards, and can be an additional helper to contest shots from the weak side, lessening the burden a bit on Evan Mobley, and/or Jarrett Allen, when he’s back.

Granted, Lamar Stevens looks primed for more opportunities ahead, at least sans Wade, which should make an impact on that end. And his defense was one of the positives in Cleveland’s loss on Wednesday at the Milwaukee Bucks, to that point.

However, while I’d be on-board with Stevens getting the starting nod again when Allen is back for defense, and improved cutting feel, when Wade is back, he’d be a better fit there than Stevens, or LeVert. That’s not to say Stevens shouldn’t get minutes, from there, regardless, and I’d prefer him over Okoro in that sense, for what it’s worth.

Generally though, as we’ve emphasized here, Wade’s absence has been clearly missed of late by the Wine and Gold, and maybe more than some Cavs fans may think. Allen’s absence matters a whole hell of a lot, obviously, but don’t discount Wade, folks.

It was meaningful that in Dean’s spot starts, the Cavaliers did go 4-0, and in those outings, he had 9.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest, and shot 55.0 percent from three. In his games off the bench, he’s had 6.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per appearance, and has shot 43.8 percent from three, which has been solid still, but he has a legit starting case, if he regain his rhythm upon his return.

For his two-way contributions, hopefully we see Wade back in there soon for the Cavaliers. The recently-extended K-State product is starting to come into his own with the Wine and Gold, and it’s given the team a jolt on a number of occasions already this season.