Factory Of Sadness
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4 Cleveland Cavaliers who may not get minutes next season

By Chad Porto

Feb 24, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 18: Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a call during the second half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on December 18, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 18: Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after a call during the second half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on December 18, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

Dean Wade

The Cavs have a few good reserves who, when given time, are really solid players. Dean Wade is one of those guys. He’s a solid stretch four, and he has a decent three-point shot for the fifth true big on the team (not counting Lauri Markkanen as he’s a small forward), and is arguably the third-best defender behind Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

Yet, just like with Isaac Okoro, being a great defender isn’t going to get him or keep him on the court, not if the Cavs draft another forward. If they use the 14th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft on a small or power forward, then like with Okoro again, Wade becomes highly expendable.

For a rebuilding team, Wade would make sense. He has solid offensive stats and is good enough to be a starter on a team looking to see what they have. Houston, Orlando, and Indiana all come to mind. Or a team like Brooklyn, who needs good, young, pieces for their team.

Wade is someone who is a good fit for any team he’s on but the Cavs have an abundance of options that are good and young, and if they use all three draft picks, it’s possible they find a player who is as good as Wade, and that means that his minutes could be impacted.

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