Dean Wade’s comments about wanting to “compete for a championship” after leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Philadelphia 76ers have definitely got some Cavs fans in a twist, thinking their former starting small forward threw shade. But hold up, the real story behind his words is way less dramatic and a lot more about his own journey.
The Real Deal with Wade’s Words
Wade, who made the move from Cleveland to Philadelphia early in the offseason, leaving the Cavs to pivot and trade for young prospect Peyton Watson, didn’t exactly storm out the door. He left respectfully. So when he recently spoke to the “Brace and Dunne radio show on 97.5 FM The Fanatic” in Philly, and said, “I wanted to compete for a championship,” it got some people hot. He added that he’d “never been a stats-driven player personally,” and that as a rookie or second-year guy, he “had to do all the small things; the dirty work. I just kind of embraced it.” He then explained his decision to come to the Sixers: “When those guys, Jaylen (Brown) got traded, when Anfernee (Simons) signed, when LeBron (James) picked here…I knew I was going to play. I’m a piece of this team.” Now, that sounds like a guy excited to play, right? But the internet, as it does, went straight to “dig at the old team.”
It’s Not About Cleveland, Y’all
Here’s the kicker, though: the question Wade was asked had absolutely nothing to do with why he bounced from Cleveland or why he chose Philadelphia. Nope. The interviewers were actually asking how he felt about arriving in Philadelphia as the first big offseason acquisition, supposedly for a starting spot, only to then watch guys like Jaylen Brown and LeBron James also join the team, effectively sending Wade to the bench. Think about it: this dude was a starter on a Cavaliers squad that made the Eastern Conference Finals. It’s completely understandable that he might be a little agitated about losing a starting gig he thought was his in Philly. The whole vibe of the question was about his changing role with the Sixers after those other big names landed, not a retrospective slam on his former team.
Why the Move Made Sense, Anyway
It’s also worth remembering that it’s unclear how much the Cavaliers even wanted to keep Wade, to begin with. The team was already over the cap’s second apron when he left, which makes spending big on players like him a tough call. While there was a belief the Cavs *could* have matched an offer if they truly wanted him back, we just don’t know for sure. What *is* known, though, is that of all the free agent offers Wade got, he clearly felt Philadelphia was the best fit for him as a pro, and that was *before* Brown, Simmons, or James were even in the picture. So, no, his comments were not a subtle jab at the Cavaliers. It was just a player talking about his role on his new team and how his expectations shifted when other stars joined. Case closed, folks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply