CLEVELAND, Ohio — Remember those summer trade rumors surrounding Dean Wade? The Cavs certainly don’t.
As revealed in the latest Wine and Gold Talk Podcast, the organization has pivoted from considering Wade as potential trade bait to empowering him as an essential piece of their rotation — perhaps second only to the efforts they’ve made with Evan Mobley.
“I think in a lot of cases, Dean Wade feels like the forgotten man in this rotation. But if the preseason has shown anything, if training camp has shown anything, it’s that he’s going to have a pretty important role and he’s going to be a fixture of the every night rotation,” explained cleveland.com Cavs beat reporter Chris Fedor on the podcast.
What’s driving this transformation? For starters, Wade’s defensive versatility provides the Cavaliers with lineup flexibility that’s become increasingly valuable in today’s NBA. At 6-foot-9, he can credibly guard multiple positions — a rare skill that podcast host Ethan Sands highlighted.
“While there are multiple players who can play multiple positions, especially defensively, I think he’s one of the most versatile when it comes to what Kenny Atkinson feels comfortable putting him in different positions because of not only his height and his size, but also his ability to move his feet as quick as some guards,” Sands noted.
But the podcast discussion revealed something more intriguing than Wade’s defensive capabilities — the organization-wide effort to build his confidence.
From Donovan Mitchell’s constant encouragement to head coach Kenny Atkinson’s direct approach, everyone in Cleveland seems focused on unlocking Wade’s full potential.
“I think it’s become clear over the last couple of years that players inside that locker room and coaches believe that Dean needs to be pumped up, that Dean needs to be told and reaffirmed of his place inside this organization. And his confidence can waver,” Fedor explained.
This confidence-building isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a tactical necessity.
The podcast highlighted how Wade’s willingness to shoot without hesitation and attack closeouts has become non-negotiable for a Cavaliers team that will start the season without offensive weapons Darius Garland and Max Strus. Wade’s offensive aggression isn’t just encouraged — it’s required.
What makes this story particularly compelling is Wade’s status as the longest-tenured Cavalier outside of Darius Garland. The organization’s commitment to him speaks to their culture of development and loyalty, especially for a player who has consistently contributed to winning basketball through his rebounding and defense.
Mitchell’s praise for Wade, which Sands shared on the podcast, underscores this point: “Donovan Mitchell said he’s one of the best shooters, one of the best defenders in this league, and he goes out and he shows it every night.”
With Wade expected to play 20-24 minutes per night in the early season while providing stability and versatility to the rotation, he’s no longer an afterthought — he’s a cornerstone of Cleveland’s approach.
For a player once described as the “forgotten man,” Dean Wade has become someone the Cavaliers can’t afford to forget. His journey from undrafted free agent to essential rotation piece exemplifies Cleveland’s player development success and might just be a key factor in their championship aspirations.
Want to hear more about Dean Wade’s evolving role and the Cavaliers’ rotation plans? Listen to the full episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast for Chris Fedor and Ethan Sands’ complete analysis of how Wade fits into Cleveland’s strategic vision.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
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