The Cleveland Cavaliers have some work to do this offseason as they look to finally get over the hump after multiple disappointing playoff exits since 2023. They finally made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in the Donovan Mitchell era, signaling that the James Harden-Darius Garland trade at least bore some fruit, but they ended up getting swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
As things stand, the Cavs are already above the second apron, and that’s with them yet to resolve Harden’s contract situation. (Harden has a player option worth $42.3 million next season that he could decline so he could sign a multi-year deal). With the Cavs’ financial situation in dire straits, this could lead to the departure of longtime rotation player, Dean Wade — with the Philadelphia 76ers being a potential threat to swoop in for him.
“Dean Wade, I fully expect him to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason. He has multiple suitors lining up already, could get close to the full midlevel exception somewhere in that 10 to 15 million dollar per year range. He’s gonna have a wealth of suitors. I’d keep an eye on the Philadelphia 76ers,” ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel said on the Clutch Scoops show on X.
“They just hired Mike Gansey as their lead executive and he was the guy that originally found Dean Wade to join the Cleveland Cavaliers.”
LaMelo/Giannis Trades, NBA Draft, Free Agency | Clutch Scoops with @TomerAzarly and @BrettSiegelNBA https://t.co/WwNWLMoVBR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 25, 2026
Wade has spent his entire seven-year career thus far with the Cavs, and while one would think that Cleveland wants him to stay, it is very much possible that the 6’9″ forward receives an offer from the 76ers that he can’t refuse.
His stats may not jump over the page, but he gives it his all defensively, and he’s positionally versatile — all while being able to shoot the three-ball somewhat consistently (a career 36.7 percent shooter from deep). He started 14 of the Cavs’ 18 playoff games in 2026, so his departure could end up being a big deal for a team that already lacks size on the wings.