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Rumor: Rockets Tried To Trade For Cavaliers’ Dean Wade

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 3:48 PM ET

The Houston Rockets tried to trade for Cleveland Cavaliers wing Dean Wade, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

This was before the Rockets signed Dorian Finney-Smith, who left the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Before signing Dorian Finney-Smith in free agency, the Houston Rockets pursued a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers for forward Dean Wade, sources said,” Siegel wrote. “Houston was willing to offer Wade a full MLE extension over the next few seasons, the same deal that Finney-Smith ultimately got, if they were able to finalize a trade with Cleveland.

“When the Cavaliers declined this trade involving Wade and the Lakers’ fallout with Finney-Smith made its rounds across the league, the Rockets quickly moved on to the veteran two-way wing and offered him a four-year, $52.7 million contract. These trade talks between Cleveland and Houston happened the week between the NBA Draft and free agency.”

Wade will make $6.6 million next season in the final year of his contract. He appeared in 59 games last season for the Cavaliers, averaging 5.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 41.3% from the field, 36.0% from beyond the arc and 53.3% from the free-throw line.

The 28-year-old Wade has spent his entire career with Cleveland. He has career averages of 5.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists.

Multiple contenders from both conferences are interested in trading for Wade. It will be interesting to see if the forward stays with the Cavaliers or gets traded before the 2025-26 season begins.