Suns among teams interested in Cavs free agent Dean Wade

Dean Wade is hitting the open market this summer, and the Suns are already on his radar.

According to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, Phoenix has had internal discussions about Wade dating back to the trade deadline and is one of several teams expected to pursue the Cavaliers forward in free agency.

“They have discussed his name dating back to the trade deadline,” Siegel said on X. “The Suns are one of a handful of teams who hold interest in him entering free agency. There are several teams, and they’re one of them.”

Wade, who turns 30 later this year, has spent all seven seasons in Cleveland. He’s a classic three-and-D role player — a career 37% three-point shooter who held his own defensively during the Cavaliers’ recent playoff runs. Nothing flashy, but he does his job.

The Phoenix connection makes sense on a few levels. Suns coach Jordan Ott spent time in Cleveland during the 2024-25 season and knows Wade well. That familiarity could matter both in terms of fit and in recruiting him away from the only organization he’s ever known.

Phoenix needs more size at the four. Wade is bigger than current option Royce O’Neale and fits what Ott wants defensively. On-ball defense has been a priority for the Suns coach, and with Jordan Goodwin also hitting free agency, Phoenix may be looking to add another stopper on the wing regardless of how that situation plays out.

Wade isn’t going to create his own shot. That’s fine. The Suns have enough firepower. They need role players who can defend and knock down open looks, and Wade checks both boxes.

He should also come cheap. Wade just finished a three-year, $18.5 million deal and his next contract likely lands in similar territory.

Experienced, affordable, defensive-minded and capable from deep. That’s exactly the profile Ott is looking for.