NBA trade proposal sends Cavs’ Dean Wade to Celtics

The Cavaliers and Celtics start training camp next week. So why not make a last-minute move? 

Actually, this remains a fairly slow time for major NBA news. So we here at Hoops Wire (and by “we,” I mean “me”) decided to have a little more fun before the real thing begins. You know, before I have to report on things that are actually real.

Anyway, I’ve conjured up a few of these fake trades throughout the offseason, and for the Cavs, many involve Dean Wade. For the record, I have nothing against him personally or professionally. I actually think he’s a swell guy and adds some fantastic defense in reserve.

But I also think if you are pointing to Cavs player Who’s Most Likely To Be Traded, Wade is your man. So once again, I’ve come up with another fun hypothetical.

Let’s take a look, and then go ahead and tweet out why you hate it, as you always do.

The proposal: Cavaliers send forward Wade to the Celtics for forward Sam Hauser.

Why would Cleveland consider it? Well, Wade is on an expiring $6.6 million deal. Hauser is locked in long-term — four more years, starting at $10 million next season. That makes him the more expensive piece, but also the more predictable one.

For a Cavs team already in the tax, there’s a real decision to make between short-term flexibility and adding shooting that might stick around.

The players:

• Wade (28, 6-foot-9) averaged 5.4 points and 4.2 boards last season, and is generally known more for his perimeter defense than his scoring punch.

• Hauser (27, 6-foot-8) put up 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds, while shooting it well enough to play 71 games for the Celtics, who were defending a championship at the time. He’s not Wade’s equal as a defender, but he’s clearly the bigger offensive threat.

Why Boston might say yes: After trading Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to cut costs, Boston is still looking for wiggle room. Wade’s expiring deal gives them that, and his defense doesn’t hurt a rotation that just lost Jayson Tatum for the year with an Achilles injury.

Why Cleveland might say yes: Hauser gives them another floor spacer alongside Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland — and someone who’s been part of a title run.

He’d also be the second Sam on the roster, joining Sam Merrill, which may not matter to anyone except the fans and a certain Cavs writer who shares the name.

Again, just for fun. But the idea of Wade-for-Hauser isn’t as wild as it sounds, especially with both teams retooling after disappointing second-round exits.