On Friday, the Cleveland Cavaliers officially welcomed three-time champion Dwyane Wade to the team. Now that the Cavs have inked the former Marquette Golden Eagle, they’re left with a few decisions to make with regards to their starting rotation.
The addition of Wade is certainly great news for the Cavs, but some experts and analysts have speculated that it could spell the end of J.R. Smith’s role as a starter.
After today’s practice session at Cleveland Clinic Courts, ESPN’s Rachel Nichols asked Wade, a 12-time NBA All-Star, how he might feel about coming off the bench for the Cavs.
“I don’t know,” Wade said. “I’ve never done it. I’ve never done it, I’ve never come off the bench. I think I’ve come off the bench 10 or 11 times in my career, and I didn’t play well in none of them, so I don’t know. It’s uncharted waters, so I can’t say what I would be OK with or not.
“I’m not a guy that’s going to stay home and not come to the arena,” Wade continued. “If coach says, ‘Hey, D. You’ve got to do this,’ you know, I’m a player on this team, I wear a jersey like the rest of these guys. I think I can help us in the starting lineup, and I can help us in the second unit. Either way, I feel like I’m winning.”
In his 60 games played for the Chicago Bulls last season, Wade, who seems content with whatever role he may serve with his new team, averaged 18.3 points on 43 percent shooting from the field, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals in 29.9 minutes per contest.
Exactly how the Cavs will utilize Wade (or the rest of their new players) remains to be seen. As of today, coach Lue has not released an official starting lineup, which is completely understandable. However, with the start of the 2017-18 NBA season approaching fast, decisions will have to be made somewhat soon.