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3 players on the Cleveland Cavaliers roster right now to replace Caris LeVert with

By Chad Porto

Nov 30, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) stands on the court in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) stands on the court in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 11: Tristan Thompson #11 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball while being guarded by Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 11: Tristan Thompson #11 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball while being guarded by Dean Wade #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Dean Wade

When we talk about starters, among the most obvious players who should replace Caris LeVert and even Isaac Okoro is Dean Wade. Wade is a bigger, more consistent version of Okoro, with a longer reach and a more willingness to throw his body at bigger players. He’s not only a capable small forward but he could also play power forward or even center in a pinch.

He’s three inches taller than LeVert, standing 6’9, and he’s got nearly 30 lbs on LeVert, at 230 lbs. We already know that LeVert’s advanced stats aren’t anything to write home about (BPM -1.9 OFF, +0.1 DEF, and a .518 true shooting RAPTOR -1.0/+0.7). Wade’s numbers are even better. He’s got a RAPTOR of -1.0/+1.2, so he’s on par with LeVert offensively but better defensively.

His BPM is better than LeVert’s, posting a -1.7 to LEVert’s -1.9. He’s also significantly better on defense, with LeVert posting a +0.1, and Wade a +2.2. His true shooting is also significantly higher, at 60% to LeVert’s 51%.

While Wade does have his own limitations, he isn’t very quick laterally and can get beat by faster players, he’s also smart. He can seal off lanes and puts himself in front of guys on a consistent enough basis to warrant more time on the court. You’d like to see him shoot more threes, that’s obvious but he can do a lot of damage defensively.

Plus, the more opportunities you give him offensively, the more he can grow.

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