After swapping Cleveland for a star-studded Philadelphia roster, Dean Wade's compliment for his new team could come as a shot to Cavaliers after near title run this past season.
Five months ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers were on the brink of a NBA Finals appearance as they battled the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Obviously, the series didn't go the way they hoped as the red-hot Knicks swept the Cavs and ultimately won their first Larry O'Brien Trophy since 1973.
An offseason of questions and changes unfolded to Cleveland, as it looked for roster improvements that would bring the franchise closer to reaching its own championship aspirations. One of those changes saw long-time wing Dean Wade hit free agency and ultimately sign a four-year, $87 million contract with one of this year's title favorites, the Philadelphia 76ers.
Of course, Wade signed with Philly several days after it traded for Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown. Then later that summer, LeBron James joined the fold as a free agent, as well.
With Wade now set to serve in a key reserve role for the 76ers this season, he opened up about the decision for the first time this week during an interview with Philadelphia-based radio station 97.5 The Fanatic. And in it, seemed to take a bit of a shot at his former team.
"I knew why I was coming here. I wanted to compete for a championship," Wade said in regards to his role likely being reduced to a backup rather than a starter after James joined the fold.
In retrospect, Wade was trying to explain why starting and stats aren't the most important things to him in terms of why he chose Philly. On the other hand, though, the comments could be viewed as an indictment on the Cavs simply not being a true title contender in his eyes as he exits stage left.
For what it's worth, Wade started 14 of 18 games during Cleveland's postseason run last season and shot 46.2% from the floor and 37.5% from three, but his hesitancy to shoot the basketball at times is what made him expendable to the Cavs in the end.
Wade averaged just 3.6 field goal attempts per game during that stretch and despite the fact that he was an elite defender and one of the only wings on the roster, he was ultimately deemed expendable by Cavaliers brass.
There's no denying that Wade has a great shot at winning a title with this beefed-up 76ers team. He's also not alone in the masses seemingly believing the Cavs are a bit of an afterthought in the championship conversation. It's ultimately up to those former teammates Wade left behind, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and others, to prove they're better equipped to win one without him.
