One member of the Cavaliers to keep a close eye on ahead of the February 5 trade deadline? None other than forward Dean Wade, according to Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal.
Wade is in the final year of his contract. He had been linked to the Mavericks, Rockets and several others before the season.
“While the attention will naturally be on higher-profile possible trade candidates like (Darius Garland) or (Jarrett Allen), one player to monitor is Dean Wade,” Afseth wrote, citing sources. “Averaging 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 22.7 minutes per game, Wade is earning $6.6 million on an expiring deal.”
The Cavs (15-14) were expected to be an Eastern Conference contender. They still can be exactly that with 50-plus games to go. But until they right the ship, the rumors are likely to be loud and perhaps even true.
“The Cavs are not as deep as they thought they’d be. They’ve struck out on the margins,” one NBA executive told Afseth. “Trading for Hunter was an all-in move that didn’t even help them even reach a Conference Final. Now he’s coming off the bench. Ty Jerome leaving created a big void that Lonzo Ball hasn’t filled… They’re paying Strus a lot and he fell off after the first year of his contract. They are very limited as far as possible changes are concerned.”
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