Just when all seemed quiet on the trade front, the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday agreed to send star PG Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics in exchange for PG Isaiah Thomas, SF Jae Crowder, C Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn Nets’ unprotected 2018 1st round draft pick. While the personnel has changed, the Cavaliers’ offensive strategy will remain, for the most part, the same. Thomas will assume Irving’s role, and may possibly provide an upgrade in passing and playmaking ability, at the expense of isolation scoring. Crowder will come off the bench as the best backup LeBron James has ever played with, and immediately becomes the Cavs’ second-best wing defender. Crowder also had his best shooting season last year, when he made 40% of his three-point attempts. Zizic is a young developmental center prospect who will compete for time(and a roster spot) with Edy Tavares. Zizic’s rebounding ability could earn him time as Tristan Thompson’s primary backup by the end of the regular season.
But even with their blockbuster trade, the Cavs may not be finished making roster moves this season. LeBron James’ former Miami Heat teammate, SG Dwyane Wade, was linked to the Cavs during the 2016 offseason, before eventually signing with his hometown Chicago Bulls. But Wade and the Bulls have become disenchanted with each other for multiple reasons, including Chicago’s underachieving 2016-2017 season, the offseason trade of star SG Jimmy Butler to Minnesota for prospects and picks, and Wade’s declining effort, performance, and health. With Wade owed nearly $24 million and turning 36 years old during the 2017-2018 season, and the Bulls in the midst of a full-blown rebuild, the two parties are not a good match for each other.
Wade could be made a free agent this year, as he and the Bulls are expected to reach a buyout agreement in the next few months, and the situation has gotten to the point where a buyout is now apparently “inevitable”. The leading contenders for Wade’s services would appear to be his old team, the Miami Heat, the Houston Rockets, where he could team up with his friend Chris Paul, and the Cavs. There is talk around the league that Wade is expected to end up in Cleveland at some point this season. Would this be a good acquisition for the Cavs, and how would Wade fit in with the team?
Dwyane Wade is not nearly the player he once was. His days of high-flying poster dunks and crowd-pleasing finishes in transition are over. His play has dropped ever since LeBron James left the Heat back in 2014-2015, and his first season in Chicago was no different. In 60 games last year, Wade averaged 18.3 points on 42% shooting, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals, while shooting just 31% from three-point range in 30 minutes per game. Offensively, he no longer possesses the burst he once had, which forces him to settle for more mid-range jumpers rather than being able to get to the rim. Defensively, Wade is one of the best SGs of all time, and while he isn’t the defender he was in his prime, he can still play defense at an above average level when motivated.
Because of his advanced age and lack of three-point prowess, Wade would most likely assume a 6th-man role coming off the bench, much like current Cavalier Derrick Rose. JR Smith provides the Cavs with elite shooting and solid defense (when he’s locked in) and is four years younger than Wade. Iman Shumpert would ideally be traded, but if he remains on the team and Wade is signed, his minutes will dwindle to an almost non-existent level. Wade is also a capable passer and floor general, so he could run the point when necessary. He also has incredible chemistry with LeBron James, and seeing the two connect on alley-oop passes one last time would be fun to see.
Signing Dwyane Wade would not by any means tip the NBA Finals scale in the Cavs’ direction, but it would certainly improve their chances by strengthening their bench, which is one of the primary reasons why Cleveland has lost two of the past 3 championship series.
Should Wade become available, the Cavs would be wise to sign him, as he would give them another capable scorer off the bench, along with a veteran presence who is used to NBA Finals adversity. That experience could be his biggest contribution to the team.