The Cleveland Cavaliers have a few challenging decisions to make with some of their own free agents, but the most interesting one will be forward Dean Wade. Despite his shooting numbers, teams recognize the importance of a tall wing defender – and a number of organizations are reportedly interested.
Mike Scotto of HoopsHype reports that Wade has several potential suitors aside from the Cavs: the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, and the Portland Trail Blazers. It should be no surprise that all of those teams made the playoffs.
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There are several Cavalier connections with a few of those teams that make it reasonable to think Wade will be tough to keep. Former General Manager Mike Gansey now runs the Sixers and understands what Wade provides to a team as a perimeter defender. Suns head coach Jordan Ott was an assistant in Cleveland and coached Wade. The same goes for J.B Bickerstaff in Detroit, and the Pistons would certainly like to have another two-way player. Then there are the Lakers, who could be in need of a small forward if one of theirs (cough, cough) happens to leave.
The Cavs are in a precarious position with their depth, especially on the wing. Max Strus is on an expiring contract, and will be hard to move for something better. Keon Ellis is a pending free agent and did not end the season on a good note. Much will be expected of Jaylon Tyson, but he is still a young player with limited experience. Wade has the trust of head coach Kenny Atkinson, in no small part because the analytics say the Cavs are better with him on the floor. Letting Wade walk would be a daring venture for the Cavs, unless they have another plan to get the ever-elusive starting small forward.
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