The Cleveland Cavaliers came to terms on a contract extension with forward Dean Wade on Saturday. The deal is worth $18.5 million over three years.
After spending four seasons at Kansas State, the 25-year-old signed with the Cavaliers after going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft. He signed a two-way contract to start his career before signing a standard contract before the 2020-2021 season.
While at Kansas State, Wade was named first-team All-Big 12 in 2018 and 2019.
Wade has been a great success story and a key piece to a rapidly developing Cavaliers squad. Last season, Wade played 51 games and started 28. He averaged 5.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 19.2 minutes per game.
Last season, Wade was thrust into the starting lineup after former Cavaliers player Lauri Markkanen entered the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Once Markkanen was cleared to play, Wade went back to the bench but with Markkanen being sidelined by a sprained ankle later in the season, Wade was put back into the starting lineup.
Wade’s numbers improved dramatically when he was inserted into the starting lineup. Wade played 23 games off the bench and averaged 2.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game. As a starter, Wade’s numbers rose to 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, while shooting 37.5% from three.
He will compete with Isaac Okoro, Caris LeVert, and Cedi Osman to start alongside forward Evan Mobley and guard Donovan Mitchell.
In three seasons in the NBA, Wade is averaging 5.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. He is also shooting 44.7% from the field, including 36.5% from three.
