76ers’ Dean Wade speaks on simple 'hire me' handshake with LeBron James

Philadelphia 76ers forward Dean Wade. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

76ers’ Dean Wade speaks on simple 'hire me' handshake with LeBron James

By Paul White | Last updated Oct 30, 2026 3:06 PM ET

One of the most important aspects of a championship team is camaraderie between the players. Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James realizes this, and he’s always gone out of his way to make sure he builds chemistry with all of his teammates.

While he has tons of methods to bond with other players on the roster, the most notable tradition he has is unique handshakes with each member of the team. James and 76ers center Joel Embiid have everyone talking about their hilarious handshake, but forward Dean Wade might sneakily have the best one.

The four-time champion gives just about everyone a long, intricate handshake, but Wade’s is a simple, formal handshake that has no bells or whistles added on. He recently spoke about his routine with James and why he’s perfectly fine with the generic handshake he has.

Dean Wade is unwilling to get a customized handshake from LeBron James

“I just have the simple, ‘Hire me’ handshake. I try to stay out of it because I can’t do this stuff,” said Wade.

Maxey said James puts “a lot of thought” into them.

For KCP it’s loading a clip.

Jaylen Brown has the mask. VJ Edgecombe has head taps.

Dean Wade has a “hire me handshake.”

“I try to stay out of it because I can’t do this stuff”https://t.co/ywU3GqxwcE pic.twitter.com/8tN4lhKx5T
— Alex Coffey (@byalexcoffey) October 30, 2026

The former Cleveland Cavalier isn’t against having fun and building chemistry with teammates — he just doesn’t feel he has as much swagger as the other guys. His play on the court proves it, a workman’s style of a fiery defender who does all the small things to win basketball games.

Wade was the first free-agent signing for Philadelphia this summer, and he was expected to be a big piece of the team. Now, after signing James and trading for forward Jaylen Brown, Wade can just focus on knocking down open threes and playing hard-nosed defense.

He is a guy willing to do everything for his team — as long as he isn’t asked to do a complicated handshake.

Paul White

Paul White is a contract writer from Philadelphia who attended Penn State University. He has contributed hundreds of stories about the NFL and NBA over the years and now brings that experience over to Yardbarker. He is a lifelong Philadelphia sports fan looking to bring the same passion from his city to sports media.

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