Cavs’ Dean Wade Still Mentioned In Trade Chatter; Mavericks Interested?

The Cavaliers really like Dean Wade, but they may also like the idea of not being in the NBA’s second tax bracket.

For those unfamiliar with salary-cap jargon and implications, just know the Cavs are in a tough spot. When you pay out too much salary, you are handcuffed in making roster moves. The Cavs are basically there.

So Wade could be the odd man out, it was suggested by Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, via Jackson Flickinger of Fear The Sword.

Several opposing scouts have told Hoops Wire that their general managers have an interest in Wade — and could make a run at him now that the free agency dust has cleared. The scouts did not know if those GMs had yet called the Cavs.

Flickinger summarized Fedor’s report by noting that rumors persist about moving Wade, as he’s entering the final year of his deal. Fedor wrote that “the current belief is Wade likely wouldn’t return.”

One league source told Hoops Wire that the Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards are among the teams with a likely interest in Wade, and Fedor reported that the Mavericks have been “fans for a few years.”

He added that “contenders from each conference expressed interest.”

If Wade is indeed moved, it would hardly be for anything that’s considered splashy. It would just more likely serve as a salary dump. The Cavs may not go that route before the season, because again, they value Wade’s perimeter defense.

“Wade still remains useful for the Cavs despite his offensive limitations due to his unwillingness to take open threes,” Flickinger wrote. “Cleveland has been considerably better with him on the court compared to when he’s off every season since 2021-22. Last season, they were 1.8 points better per 100 possessions with Wade on the floor.”

So, will the Cavs move Wade? Well, let’s just say it’s still a possibility, as we relayed it was earlier this summer.

Wade, 28, appeared in 59 games with the Cavaliers last season, averaging 5.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and shooting 36.0 percent on 3-pointers. He has spent all of his six NBA seasons in Cleveland.