Dean Wade says leaving Cavs was tough, but Sixers opportunity was too good to pass up

Dean Wade spent the first seven years of his NBA career with the Cavaliers, so leaving Cleveland wasn’t exactly a casual decision.

But after signing a four-year, $39 million deal with the 76ers, Wade believes he landed in the right place.

In an interview with Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Wade said several teams showed interest in him during free agency, including Cleveland, but Philadelphia’s pursuit stood out almost immediately.

“The 76ers were super interested as soon as they could start talking with me in free agency,” Wade said. “Mike and those guys were calling me non-stop during the first five hours or so of free agency.”

The Mike is former Cavs executive Mike Gansey, now running things in Philadelphia. Wade said their longstanding relationship played a major role in his decision.

So did the chance to contend. Then things got even more interesting. After Wade signed, the Sixers added Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to a roster that already included Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

“That immediately let me know I made the right decision,” Wade said.

Still, walking away from Cleveland wasn’t easy.

“I was so comfortable there,” Wade said. “A lot of my life happened in Cleveland. Part of me definitely wanted to go back.”

He also called Jarrett Allen his best friend and said the relationships he built with teammates and people in the organization are what he’ll remember most.

Now Wade gets an early reunion. Philadelphia opens its home schedule against Cleveland, meaning Wade won’t have to wait long to see his former teammates from the other side.

“It will definitely be weird at first,” he said.

Probably for Cavs fans, too.