4 things Cavaliers fans should be thankful for regarding 2022-23 squad

No. 3: Dean Wade’s emergence

Dean Wade demonstrated growth in his second and third seasons with the Cavaliers, following his first season, when he was a two-way contributor that mostly played meaningful minutes with the Canton (now Cleveland Charge).

In the past two seasons prior to 2022-23, he showed that can be a more than viable forward defender, and do a capable job in his containment of opposing wings, and when the opportunities arose, he did competently as a catch-and-shoot player. For a guy that had minutes inconsistency in those seasons, Wade hitting 36.6 and then 35.9 percent of his three-point attempts in 2020-21 and 2021-22 was respectable, with his defensive help for the team, too.

Thus far this season, Wade has carried his quality play from last season forward as well. He’s connected on 18 of his 37 three-point shot attempts, (a 48.6 percent clip) and has had 7.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game.

Wade has done a nice job in his four spot starts for the Cavaliers, along with his fine play off the bench, and realistically, it’d be sensible for him to potentially be Cleveland’s full-time starter at the 3.

He had missed the Cavaliers past five contests prior to Wednesday’s victory against the Portland Trail Blazers because of knee soreness, but it was greate to see him back in there, even on a minutes restriction.

Generally, though, the emergence of Wade one of the Cavs’ best players, in terms of the two-way variety, has been one of the biggest takeaways from the season so far. It’s awesome to know that he was extended via three-year deal prior to the season, too, and when he’s back, it should be a lift for the Cavaliers.