1 stat proves the Cavs’ X-factor deserves to start amid Evan Mobley’s absence

With 14 starting lineup combinations in 27 games, Cleveland The Cavaliers have had consistent pressure and drive from their top five this season. Their latest mix of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, De’Andre Hunter, Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen didn’t get the job done against the Charlotte Hornets, but it kind of made sense because Wade’s early career reputation precedes him.

Before Sunday’s loss, he was perfect in his three starts in 2025-26. Extending that to a career sample size, Wade is 79-47. While it’s understood his role was different in many of them — whether he was a big three, a commanding natural 4, or a small-ball 5 — it’s hard to argue with the results. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson was asked why he didn’t get more opportunities after the team’s win over the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 5.

“We don’t want his minutes to be very high,” Atkinson said. “I’m not saying he’s limited, but there are some parameters. I’ll just say that, so it does factor in. He played the most games, participated (since his sophomore season) last year. Our No. 1 key for him last year was to keep him available, and we want to continue to do that. I’m always aware of his minutes, and when he starts it’s hard for him to keep those minutes

That night, Wade started the second half in a game he initially came off the bench for. Atkinson admitted it was the wrong move and adjusted accordingly, citing his synergy with Cleveland’s key players. at that moment, Evan Mobley played and Allen didn’t. Now that has changed, with the former likely out for up to a month and the latter returning to action with separate hand injuries.

The Cavs will rely on Wade and Thomas Bryant, with Mobley and Larry Nance Jr. off the court.

“You’re not going to have just one person step into the role of Evan and what Evan brings to this team,” Wade said after Tuesday’s practice. “I think those shots are going to be spread throughout the group. Losing someone like that, an All-Star caliber, is tough for a team to overcome, but I think we’re going to get in there, and I think it’s a group effort to make up for what we’re missing with him.”

Although it entered an unforgivable loss for CharlotteThe 29-year-old showed again why he is so critical of wine and gold. Scoring a season-high 14 points on nine shots, Wade started from the outside and broke through. Atkinson found that using him at the 5 helped Cleveland defend and rebound better, as his team outscored the Hornets 32-23 in the fourth quarter.

“He’s priceless,” Donovan Mitchell said after the game. “I think he’s consistent every day in what he does. Even when the shots aren’t necessarily coming his way, he keeps finding a way to get in there, rebounding, guarding and even (Sunday), offensively at the end. I think he was fouled on the dunk. He’s just trying to find anything possible — and being able to pick it up — 5 being able to back it up — versatile that’s his specialty, and he brings it to us every night.

“He means a lot to this team,” added Darius Garland. “Just switching 1-on-5, he can guard every position. He fights every possession. And then, he can shoot the ball, which spaces the floor for a lot of driving angles for all of us and the pick-and-pop. He’s a good fit for this team, and we really need him out there on the floor for us. And confident.”

Wade is grateful for the support of his longtime teammates, but he understands that he must do his part to repay him likewise.

“Having perennial All-Stars truly believe in you means a lot,” Wade said after Tuesday’s practice. “But if I don’t make the open shot, that’s the best shot we’re going to get on the possession, it’s going to kind of turn into an offense on that possession. (You) get a lot of turnovers after people miss shots, and so, it’s kind of a selfish thing if I don’t make it. … The biggest thing is you have to be when you take the open shot, I’ll add. selfish, I’m hurting the team.”

Atkinson thinks it’s “a little easier” for him in the 5 offense because he has more time and space to shoot, as opposed to when he’s on the wing, where perimeter players can fight more of his shots. Wade agrees with his coach.

“Five outs apart is tough to deal with,” Wade said. “Obviously, I threw in last game and got a three at the end of the fourth and they had to switch tackles. And when you switch tackles like that in the middle of the fourth quarter, it’s kind of hard to get your rhythm back and everything as a defense. So I’m just creating openings, gaps; the paint will be open, Don 5 for DG.

“It’s a different kind of matchup problem. It’s just a different animal. The rebounding goes down when those two big guys are out, obviously, but we get a little more spacing, hopefully, and we get a little more movement and just (have) a little more fluidity when I’m out there.”

Dean Wade can be the Cavs’ X-factor on every end of the floor

Confidence hasn’t been an issue, according to Wade, even with his career-low 30.3 percent three-point percentage. Defensively, he isn’t as quick as he has been in the past on the perimeter, so switching him to inside players instead of guards and forwards could help fix that. Wade isn’t the tallest at the position, but he’s not giving up.

“He’s another great defender,” Allen said. “I know he’s pretty loose on his offensive side of the ball, sometimes inconsistent, but defensively, he does it. He brings it every night. He’s one of the best defenders in the league. Some people say he doesn’t pass the eye test, but I think he’s doing perfect.”

He continues to be the biggest difference maker on the boards. According to Cleaning The Glass, the Cavs are holding their opponents’ offensive rebounding percentage to 26.8% with him on the floor. When Wade is off the court, that number rises to 31.6%. Those stats rank in the 83rd and 91st percentiles in the NBA.

Cleveland’s offensive rebounding percentage is 30.6% when he plays and drops by a point when he’s resting, too; those numbers are in the 70th and 63rd percentiles, respectively.

It just goes to show where Wade’s priorities lie. He does what the coaching staff asks of him to the best of his ability, playing the right way and for the man next to him. He’s a second-chance provider as well as a deterrent, ball mover and undeniable asset for the Cavs. He can even initiate a two-man play, as he showed with Garland last week as a dump-and-return threat.

On Tuesday, Atkinson doubled down on using Wade at center for a small-ball lineup, also noting that better perimeter defense will be needed due to the lack of rim protection. Given what he considers Wade’s best game of the season, he thinks it can be doubly beneficial.

“We can’t live and die by it, but we’re definitely going to keep spraying it,” Atkinson said. “We’ve got to make sure we have the right guys around him as well.”