DECEMBER 4: The Cavaliers have issued an official update on Wade, announcing in a press release that he’s expected to be out for approximately three or four weeks due to an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder.
DECEMBER 3: Starting Cavaliers small forward Dean Wade had to exit Cleveland’s 107-96 victory over the Magic on Friday after aggravating a prior left shoulder injury, tweets Kelsey Russo of The Athletic.
Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the game that Wade had been playing through the ailment for weeks, Russo adds (Twitter link). After Wade was hit in the shoulder Friday, “it was too much,” according to Bickerstaff, who suggests the impact seems to have compounded the injury.
Now, sources inform Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (via Twitter) that Wade may be sidelined for several weeks due to the shoulder issue.
In 17 games this season, Wade is averaging 6.4 PPG on .452/.411/.692 shooting splits, along with 4.1 RPG, 1.0 APG and 0.7 SPG, across 24.1 MPG.
Wade’s two-way play had made him Bickerstaff’s eventual pick for the only starting slot in question at the start of training camp. With the oft-injured 26-year-old now once again unavailable, it seems that Lamar Stevens, Caris LeVert, and Isaac Okoro could be in line for bumps in minutes. Prior to Wade’s recent promotion to starter status, Stevens had been the team’s starting small forward for the 15-8 Cavaliers, currently the East’s third seed.
Cavs could use Caruso, Bulls could use Osman, but they’ll never help each other
As a Cavs fan I’d do this in a heartbeat. It’s selling Cedi high and buying Caruso low.
Trade Cedi and then you’re relying on Stevens at the three. Backed up by Okoro and LeVert. I don’t like the bad match ups that would result. Now if Wade and Windler were healthy and functioning… well, maybe.