CLEVELAND, Ohio — Dean Wade finds himself in basketball limbo. The versatile forward is entering a contract year with the Cavs, but his future with the franchise has never been more uncertain.
Is he part of the long-term plan in Cleveland, or is he merely showcasing his talents for his next destination?
On the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast, cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor and Jimmy Watkins delivered a brutally honest assessment of Wade’s situation that should have fans paying close attention to his early-season performance.
“Dean has to choose the Cavs just as much as the Cavs have to choose Dean,” Fedor explained. “And I think it depends. I think this year depends on the kind of role that he’s going to have in terms of his desire to come back.”
The relationship between Wade and the Cavaliers is complicated. On one hand, Cleveland has invested in his development since he arrived as an undrafted free agent. They’ve given him opportunities and a contract that, as Fedor noted, “people around the NBA were wondering if he was ever going to get.”
But there have also been challenges.
Wade has battled injuries at inopportune times, disappeared from the rotation for stretches, and most recently, found himself in trade rumors this offseason.
Watkins was even more direct about Wade’s position: “Big picture, though, it feels to me, this opportunity that Dean has, the beginning of the season, while there are injuries, it feels like he’s trying out for someone else’s team.”
The harsh reality is that Cleveland’s wing rotation is crowded with players the organization has prioritized over Wade. De’Andre Hunter, Max Strus, Jaylon Tyson, and Lonzo Ball all appear to be higher in the pecking order moving forward. Where does that leave Wade?
“I think if Dean Wade plays well, then when the Cavs get whole again, frankly, I think they’ll try to trade him and get something for him because they also see the writing on the wall here,” Watkins predicted. “If it doesn’t go well, well, then they’ll take in a free agency.”
This creates a fascinating dynamic for Wade’s season. He’s being asked to step up in a significant way while Strus and others are sidelined. His performance could determine not just his role with Cleveland but his entire NBA future.
The Cavs’ actions speak volumes. Despite Wade entering the final year of his contract, Fedor confirmed there were no extension talks this offseason.
The tricky part for Wade is navigating this uncertain terrain while maintaining his confidence.
Kenny Atkinson has repeatedly emphasized the need for Wade to be more aggressive with his shooting, even setting a goal for him to break his personal record for shot attempts per 36 minutes this season.
But is Wade shooting more to help Cleveland win now, or to prove to other teams that he deserves a bigger role and paycheck next summer?
For Cavs fans, the answer is simple: they just want Wade to perform at his best while he’s wearing Wine and Gold. How long that will continue, however, remains one of the most intriguing subplots of Cleveland’s season.
Want to hear more about Dean Wade’s uncertain future and the complex dynamics at play? Listen to the full Wine & Gold Talk podcast where Fedor, Watkins, and host Ethan Sands break down why this season might be Wade’s audition for his next NBA home.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
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