CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the aftermath of Cleveland’s impressive victory over the Denver Nuggets, a concerning pattern emerged that could threaten the Cavaliers’ championship aspirations.
On the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast, cleveland.com columnist Jimmy Watkins raised a red flag about the team’s growing — and potentially problematic — reliance on the frequently injured Dean Wade.
“The Dean Wade reliance makes me super nervous right now,” Watkins confessed during the podcast, highlighting a vulnerability that has become increasingly apparent.
The conversation about Wade’s importance came amid discussion of Cleveland’s defensive adjustments without him, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus in the lineup. Despite pulling out a victory against the former champions, the podcast couldn’t ignore how Wade’s absence created significant defensive challenges, especially against Denver’s size and physicality.
What makes Wade’s latest injury particularly frustrating is how predictable the pattern has become.
When podcast host Ethan Sands jokingly blamed Watkins for jinxing Wade by mentioning his importance on a previous episode, Watkins responded with palpable exasperation: “Are you blaming me or you blaming fate? Because this is just what happens. This is just what happens with Dean Wade. I nicknamed him D.N.P. Wade a couple years ago for a reason. I take no joy in it. The guy just gets hurt.”
This cycle has become distressingly familiar to Cavaliers observers.
Wade starts the season finding his rhythm, gradually establishes himself as a crucial rotation piece, earns recognition as one of the team’s most important defensive players according to advanced metrics, and then inevitably succumbs to injury. The timing couldn’t be worse, as Wade had just cemented his status as indispensable in the Cavaliers’ defensive scheme.
“This defense desperately, desperately needs Dean Wade,” Watkins emphasized, the repetition underscoring just how vital Wade has become to Cleveland’s identity.
What makes Wade’s situation particularly precarious is the team’s recent personnel decisions. The De’Andre Hunter trade, which Watkins described as “a Dean Wade trust trade,” signaled the organization’s belief in Wade’s ability to hold down significant minutes at the power forward position.
Now, with Wade sidelined once again with an ankle injury, that trust is being put to the test.
The podcast highlighted how Wade’s absence forced coach Kenny Atkinson into unconventional lineups against Denver, including playing James Harden at power forward during stretches of the game. While this stopgap measure worked against the Nuggets, the guys questioned whether such adaptations would be sustainable in a seven-game playoff series against the Eastern Conference’s elite teams.
The risk factor is heightened by Wade’s injury history, which has consistently disrupted his rhythm and development. Watkins noted that these aren’t major injuries but rather “little tweaks that last just long enough and nag just long enough to throw him off his rhythm.” Upon returning, Wade typically needs time to regain his form, creating a perpetual cycle of adjustment that the Cavaliers can ill afford as they approach the postseason.
Perhaps the lone silver lining, as Watkins pointed out, is that Wade’s role is now secure enough that he won’t fall completely out of the rotation upon his return. The Cavaliers simply need him too much, particularly with their current lack of forward depth following the trade deadline.
For a team that has positioned itself as a legitimate contender with the NBA’s best record since December 29th, Wade’s availability could become the difference between a deep playoff run and another disappointing early exit.
Curious about how the Cavaliers will navigate Dean Wade’s absence and adjust their defensive schemes? Listen to the full episode of the Wine and Gold Talk podcast for comprehensive analysis of Cleveland’s rotation challenges and potential solutions as they prepare for the playoff push.
Here’s the podcast for this week: