The Cavaliers are “expected to lose” veteran forward Dean Wade in unrestricted free agency, league sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Cleveland has been able to negotiate with Wade since Sunday, the day after the NBA Finals ended.
A former undrafted free agent who started his professional career on a two-way contract, Wade has spent all seven of his NBA seasons in Cleveland. The former Kansas State standout earned $6.6MM in 2025/26.
Jake Fischer previously reported that the Cavs were expected to prioritize re-signing Wade over fellow impending free agent Keon Ellisnoting that Wade could receive a “healthy portion” of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is projected to start at $15MM next season.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype subsequently reported that multiple teams are expected to pursue Wade, a defensive specialist who averaged 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 36.2% from three-point range in 59 games this season (22.3 minutes per contest). Scotto pointed out that it could be difficult for the cap-strapped Cavs to make a competitive offer to the 29-year-old.
Here’s more from around the Eastern Conference:
The Pistons hosted a pair of projected first-round picks — Santa Clara forward Allen Graves and Texas wing Dailyn Swain — for pre-draft workouts on Thursday, tweets Hunter Patterson of The Athletic. Detroit controls the 21st overall pick in next week’s draft. In case you missed it, head of basketball operations Trajan Langdon discussed the Pistons’ draft options on Thursday.
Trading Gradey Dick to free up money to re-sign Sandro Mamukelashvili seem to be priorities for the Raptors, Keith Smith of Spotrac writes in his offseason preview. If the Raptors are unable to retain Mamukelashvili, adding a backup big man using the mid-level exception will be important after Jakob Poeltl missed extended time in 2025/26 due to a back ailment, Smith notes. Smith expects Toronto to exercise its minimum-salary options on Jamal Shead and Jonathan Mogbo and potentially work out extensions with both players, but he doesn’t think the team will — or should — extend RJ Barrettwho will be a free agent in 2027.
Kam Jones‘ NBA career didn’t exactly start off on a high note, observes Tony East of Circle City Spin. The Pacers acquired Jones with the the 38th overall pick in last year’s draft, but he suffered a back injury in the offseason and didn’t make his debut until mid-December. Even when the former Marquette star appeared to be at full strength, he didn’t play well as a rookie, East writes, and the 24-year-old guard will have to take real strides forward this summer if he wants to remain part of the team despite having a partially guaranteed contract for 2026/27.
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