The Cavaliers have exercised their team option on forward Dean Wade for the 2022/23 season, league sources tell Kelsey Russo of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The decision was an easy one for the Cavs, since Wade’s option is worth just $1,930,681 and remains non-guaranteed even now that it has been picked up. That means Cleveland could waive the 25-year-old later in the offseason without being on the hook for his 2022/23 salary.
However, Wade appears to have earned a spot in the Cavs’ plans for next season. He has been a regular rotation player for the team during the last two years, averaging 5.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 1.1 APG on .441/.363/.725 shooting in 114 games (19.2 MPG) during that stretch. While those numbers won’t earn him All-Star consideration, they’re solid for a reserve on a minimum-salary contract.
With Wade’s option exercised, the Cavs now have nine players on guaranteed salaries for next season and two (Wade and Lamar Stevens) on non-guaranteed deals. Even if the club brings back all 11 of those players and re-signs Collin Sexton, there will be multiple spots to fill on next year’s 15-man roster.
Our team option decision tracker can be found right here.
Wade is the kind of guy nobody notices but every team needs. Solid shooter, willing passer, and a good defender given his length and relatively high athleticism. Glad the Cavs are keeping him around.
Agreed, very solid player. Plus his teammates like him.
Wade’s definitely on the Unsung All Star Team maybe 2nd team.
Those Deanthony Melton, Jared Vanderbilt, Royce Oneale guys that casual fans never ever notice unless they play for a glamor squad. They just go about their business making teams better and getting underpaid.