Wade finished his seventh season with 5.8 points on 56.7% effective field-goal percentage, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He has been a career-long Cavalier, thanks to Gansey, who was Cleveland\u2019s assistant general manager in charge of helping oversee draft operations. Gansey\u2019s keen eye spotted Wade as an undrafted free agent in 2019. The Cavaliers signed him to a two-way contract, and the rest was history.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old has steadily developed into a toolsy forward for the Cavaliers, with the ability to space the floor and guard the point of attack. Wade is willing to do the little things as well, and his overall skill set is the type that you would aim to surround your star players with. He recorded the most starts of his career this year, starting 38 of 59 appearances.<\/p>\n
Is Wade a realistic target?<\/p>\n
Philadelphia, lacking reliability at power forward<\/a>, would be fortunate to land him, but it will not be easy. Multiple playoff teams are forecasted to access the full $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, per Spotrac<\/a>, which could create a bidding war that forces a team to use the entire exception on him.<\/p>\n Not to mention, the Cavaliers, themselves, are also interested in retaining him. It may be difficult for them, however. Cleveland is already $200,000 into the second tax apron and still needs to finalize a potential James Harden extension.<\/p>\n Per @BrettSiegelNBA<\/a>, \u201cdo not be shocked\u201d if the Sixers are involved with either Dean Wade or John Collins \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/11sThMfHEl<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sleeper76ers (@sleeper76ers) June 27, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Sixers can play ball, too. Philadelphia, as it stands, can utilize the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, but it remains to be seen if it\u2019ll stay that way as Gansey expressed interest in retaining Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, the Sixers will have to wait<\/a> until June 30 at 6 p.m., Eastern time\u2014when teams can begin to negotiate with free agents.<\/p>\n Sign up\u00a0for our free newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Bluesky<\/a>\u00a0for the latest news.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow<\/a>