Trade rumors often surround the Cleveland Cavaliers, but few trades actually emerge.
Cleveland has shown consistent loyalty to their core group and the majority of the supporting cast, but the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) may finally push the Cavs to dismantle parts of the roster. Sitting in the second apron, Cleveland's options to improve the team has been heavily limited, and their lack of trade assets further push the Cavaliers to need to look at dropping players and salary.
For as long as the Cavaliers remain in the second apron, they cannot trade stack players in trades, accept more salary in a deal than they send out, sign non-incumbent free agents to more than a veteran minimum, sign buyout free agents who made more than the non-taxpayer Mid-Level Exception and will inch toward a frozen first-round draft pick in the future. All of these challenges could penalize the Cavs for building a contender through the draft and well-timed trades, but the reality does not change, no matter how unfair.
As the offseason nears a close and the Cavaliers approach a regular season filled with games under the national spotlight, the rumor mill is only certain to continue to spin. Cleveland enters this year with a full depth chart across the board, making any players who struggle to carve a spot in the rotation more expendable than ever.
Throughout this summer, Cavs forward Dean Wade has already circulated the trade drama scene, continuing a trend that follows him seemingly every trade cycle. With a low-cost contract, solid three-point shooting and valuable defensive talent, Wade is one of the Cavaliers' most effective trade pieces that could be made available. The looming CBA penalties hovering over the Cavs may force the front office's hand, parting ways with a fan-favorite veteran.
Dean Wade may be the Cavaliers' first victim of the CBA
After a devastating Achilles injury to Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum derailed the team's Finals hopes in the 2025-26 season, the Massachusetts squad dismantled the roster to navigate the treacherous second apron waters. Kristaps Porzingis was moved to the Atlanta Hawks in a salary dump trade, and Jrue Holiday rejoined the Portland Trail Blazers, the same team he temporarily joined before becoming a Celtic only a short time earlier.
With teams already reacting to the CBA by selling off talent, the Cavaliers are potentially the next to fall victim. For as valued Wade has been to the Cavaliers, he is entering a contract year and is expected to seek a pay raise. The former G League 3-and-D forward earned a standard deal with the Cavaliers, and he will be owed $6.6 million before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2026. Next offseason, Wade could re-sign to the Cavaliers at a number north of $12 million per season.
Every contract the Cavaliers sign costs exponentially more than the public price tag due to luxury tax regulations, making Wade a clear trade target. If Cleveland believes Wade's role or production on the team is slowly fading in the wake of De'Andre Hunter and Jaylon Tyson increasing their footholds in Cleveland, the trade deadline may mark Wade's final Cavaliers appearance.
Plenty of contenders or hopeful contenders could offer the Cavaliers a small stockpile of draft picks to replenish their depleted stash. Additionally, sending back little or no salary to Cleveland could help the Cavs inch closer to falling below the second apron threshold. With a young two-way prospect developing with the Cleveland Charge already with Nae'Qwan Tomlin, the Cavaliers may believe Wade's replacement is already present. Thus, Wade's value may boil down to cap relief and draft compensation.
Painfully, Dean Wade is the most obvious candidate to become the first Cleveland Cavaliers player traded in response to the CBA. So far, Cleveland has remained steadfast in sticking to their established plan for the roster and chasing the NBA Finals; yet, Wade's upcoming free agency price tag and Cleveland's limited resources could push him to join a new franchise for the first time in his professional career.