Although the Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of an intense playoff run, it doesn't hurt to look ahead, shake the magic eight ball, and see who turns up. A name that keeps popping up when looking at potential free agent options for the Lakers is Dean Wade. His case has only gotten stronger as the postseason progresses.
Wade is a massive wing listed at 6-foot-9, 228 pounds, and has been a crucial connective piece for the Cleveland Cavaliers for several seasons now.
Wade has a unique skillset that blends his size with good feel and a dynamite shooting stroke. Lately, he's really taken strides as a defender with Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson putting him next to Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen as Cleveland's sole wing. He uses his size and strength to bully opposing offensive players, knocking them off their spots and forcing them to pick up the dribble. He also uses his size to create advantages on the glass as he can often outmuscle opposing wings.
The Lakers have been searching for a true point-of-attack defender to put next to LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves for some time now. Wade isn't that type of defensive talent, but his ability to generate stops and create advantages with his size defensively could bring real value to LA.
Dean Wade’s skillset fills multiple Lakers needs at once
During the regular season, Wade averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 36.2 percent from deep in 59 games. These counting stats don't jump out as someone who should be a must-target guy, but the Lakers need more size, rebounding, and shooting. Those are all boxes Wade checks.
The easiest way to describe Wade to Lakers fans is to imagine a jumbo Jake LaRavia who is actually a really good 3-point shooter.
Back to the defensive side of the ball, it's worth noting how impossible Wade made Brandon Ingram's job in the Cavs' first-round series with the Toronto Raptors. In the four full games BI played in, he averaged 14.8 points per game while shooting 33.9 percent from the field.
Sure, some of this was just Ingram struggling to find his rhythm and going through a bit of a cold spell, but the other major factor was Wade's defense. He was physical with BI, knocking him off his spot, fighting over screens to get strong closeouts, and used his length to match Ingram's shiftiness.
The NBA on NBC's John Fanta, a massive Cavs supporter, called Wade Cleveland's best defender in round one of the playoffs during a recent appearance on The Kevin O’Connor Show. Yes, ahead of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley. If that doesn't tell you how lockdown Wade was, I'm not sure what will.
Wade's ability to play the three through small-ball five would give the Lakers a ton of lineup flexibility and versatility they have lacked on this year's roster. With him set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, he could be a perfect add for Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office.
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