Dean Wade started his offseason as a pretty big deal for the Sixers. For a team that needed more forward depth, defense, and a touch of extra shooting, he delivered. As a free agent signing on a good value four-year, $39 million deal, Wade was a pretty ideal addition for many fans.
Then LeBron James made his decision.
But the absolute shock and joy of LeBron’s signing shouldn’t completely overshadow Wade.
Even though Wade’s role has clearly changed with LeBron’s arrival, there’s still loads to like
about what Wade has to offer. What he can do for the team on a nightly basis, how he can step up when others miss time, and the versatility he’ll help create.
Wade’s basic numbers for the Cavaliers weren’t flashy last season. In 22.3 minutes per game (with 38 starts), he averaged 5.8 points on a 58.0 true shooting percentage, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks.
Offensively, he brings enough shooting to keep defenses honest. His drawback as a scorer is that he isn’t very aggressive, either when attacking the basket (mainly against closeouts) or when firing from three. He’s averaged a modest 5.8 attempts per 36 minutes for his career and 3.3 per game last season, so his volume isn’t too high to scare defenses. His efficiency is solid enough, though, with a 36.2 three-point percentage last season and 36.7 percent for his career. Essentially, he’s a good enough shooter when he’s alongside a ton of other talent that defenses are always going to be more worried about anyway. Wade’s a solid ball mover as well. He’ll make smart extra passes and not force reads, which bodes well for him being a reliable connector alongside the Sixers’ many higher usage stars.
It’s defense where Wade will shine for the Sixers. He’s such a versatile forward, possessing not just great size at 6-foot-9 with length and solid strength, but the quickness to switch onto tough guard assignments. Regularly guarding 1 through 4 is no problem. Wade uses his range to bother forwards, contest drives to the rim, generate a solid 3.1 deflections per 36 minutes, and provide a touch of help at the rim with smart timing, help rotations and general awareness. He’s proactive in finding opportunities to break up plays as well with how he digs against drivers and cutters, and attacks the ball as a help defender.
Those same qualities translate to how he covers guards as well. He has the lateral quickness to cover shiftier players on the ball, and the timing and length to bother drivers and deter shots at the rim when guards do take him on downhill. Nick Nurse should love having the option of using Wade in matchups where the smaller Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe or Anfernee Simons may struggle.
Wade’s usage in the playoffs this year was a prime example. He started the first round spending a lot of his time effectively defending Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, and finished helping guard the craftier Jalen Brunson in the Eastern Conference Finals. Wade’s range is clear.
That versatility and impactful team defense is exactly what the Sixers need from role players who can seamlessly fit in and maximize star-heavy lineups.
Of course, now that LeBron is in town, Wade’s playing time won’t be quite as high as it was expected to be when he signed. That said, Wade averaging similar minutes to last season in Cleveland (22.3 a game) or even higher for some stretches of the year shouldn’t come as a surprise.
On a team with so many stars who can create and lead the offense, having a player like Wade who can plug in and play in any kind of lineup is hugely valuable. He can slot in and guard almost anyone as needed, and keep the offenese ticking with enough spot-up threes and reliable extra ball movement. He can let the Sixers upsize with forward-heavy lineups thanks to his ability to cover guards, or take on the toughest forward assignments when needed. Especially if the Sixers go smaller with two or three of Maxey, Edgecombe and Simons. It’s safe to say Wade will boost Nurse’s creativity and lineup options.
Wade is an excellent example of a player who does the little things well and is happy thriving on defense while others dominate touches offensively. That’s what these Sixers need, and Wade should start showing that from day one.
