{"id":74867,"date":"2024-04-25T08:54:02","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T12:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=74867"},"modified":"2024-04-25T08:54:02","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T12:54:02","slug":"cavs-dean-wade-ruled-out-remainder-magic-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/04\/25\/cavs-dean-wade-ruled-out-remainder-magic-series\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Cavs Player Ruled Out for Remainder of Magic Series"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade<\/a> will be out for the remainder of their First Round series against the Orlando Magic, the team has announced<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wade has been out since Mar. 13 with a right knee sprain<\/a>. Signed to three-year, $18.5 million contract last offseason, he was having a career year up until his injury.<\/p>\n

Dean Wade Ruled Out for Remainder of Magic Series<\/h2>\n

As a role player, Wade\u2019s numbers may not be turning heads.<\/p>\n

The five-year pro is averaging 5.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 20.5 minutes per. Even when converting his averages to their per 36 counterparts (9.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per 36 minutes), his impact can be overlooked or undervalued. However, Wade is also making 39.1 percent of his 3s, his highest percentage since going 2-4 from deep in his rookie season.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, Wade\u2019s impact \u2014like most players\u2014 extends beyond the box score. At 6-foot-9 and 228 pounds, he has just enough size to man three positions for the Cavs. While primarily slotted at small forward, he\u2019s shown the toughness and strength necessary to guard big men.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/v2UqNajGtxc?si=URUIMKP8Wo97JSaq<\/p>\n

An underrated athlete, Wade\u2019s both springy enough to be a shot-blocker and agile enough to guard in space. As a result, he\u2019s their best 3-and-D player in the frontcourt.<\/p>\n