The Cavs are ‘very likely’ to trade a candidate to deal with the Nuggets’ injuries
ClutchPoints NBA Insider Brett Siegel encouraged the rumor trade across the NBA this week by tagging Cleveland Cavaliers as a dealer before the trade deadline and identifying Cavs forward Dean Wade as a potential injury target Denver Nuggets.
“I’ve been told that Dean Wade from the Cleveland Cavaliers is very likely going to be moved, and he’s kind of getting ready to be moved before the trade deadline,” Siegel told Clutch Scoops. “There was interest in him during free agency, and the Cavaliers were getting trade calls at the time. … Maybe even the Denver Nuggets, given all their issues right now. Maybe they can flip Zeke Nnaji and a future draft pick for Dean Wade.”
Wade, who is making $6.6 million in the final year of his contract, fits the profile of a plug-and-play stretch forward. A career 36.2 percent three-point shooter, he provides size and positional versatility with a manageable cap number. around the league, Wade is considered one of Cleveland’s more realistic trade chips as the organization explores marginal roster adjustments.
The The Nuggets have been battered by injuriesfirst of all Nikola JokicRecent knee problem. Other Nuggets players also missed time. That left the front office with limited options to evaluate the roster before the deadline.
Should the Nuggets move on Cavs forward Dean Wade?
Denver’s trade flexibility is minimal. Siegel noted that Nnaji’s contract represents the Nuggets’ primary salary cap mechanism, but moving him would likely require attaching future assets. As a result, a cheap, short-term addition like Vade seems much more realistic than any blockbuster move.
“You (have to) look at the way forward,” Siegel noted. “There really isn’t because they don’t have trade assets. It’s not like they’re going to come out and make a drastic move because Jokic is injured.”
Meanwhile, Cleveland fell short of internal expectations after entering the season considered the clear contender for the Eastern Conference. While a complete bust is unlikely, a Wade trade seems increasingly likely for the Cavs as the deadline approaches.
2025-12-31 16:36:00
