Dean Wade could be one of the more sought-after names on the market if he gets there, but Cleveland is working hard to keep him from ever hitting free agency.
Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reports that the Cavaliers and Wade are in “ongoing negotiations and dialogue,” with both sides still talking and neither closing the door on a return to Cleveland. That lines up with the long-standing belief that re-signing Wade has been a priority for the Cavs. The catch, as Fedor notes, is financial: Cleveland is also trying to avoid being over the second tax apron for a second straight season, which could force a cost-saving move if it wants to keep him.
There’s also movement on the restricted free agent front in Washington. Josh Robbins of The Athletic says it’s “highly likely” the Wizards will keep Jamir Watkins, and the team plans to re-sign the former Florida State wing. The exact terms are still up in the air, but Robbins reports it would be surprising if the new deal didn’t run multiple seasons, especially after Washington declined Watkins’ minimum-salary option and instead gave him a slightly richer qualifying offer.
Maxi Kleber, meanwhile, appears headed the other direction. Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com reports that the 34-year-old big man is expected to return to Europe after nine years in the NBA.
Urbonas says the German forward/center, who spent last season with the Lakers, is “actively” exploring EuroLeague options and is likely to continue his career overseas. Kleber was a useful role player at his peak, but injuries have taken a toll on his mobility and athleticism, and his outside shot has been a problem over the last two seasons.
Isaac Bonga may be following a different path. Urbonas’ sources say the German forward is focused on getting back to the NBA after a career-best season with Partizan Belgrade. Bonga has reportedly drawn lucrative offers from several EuroLeague teams, but the four-year NBA veteran, who last played for Toronto in 2021/22, plans to compare those deals with any NBA opportunities that come his way.
In Other News...
Cavs Appear On Verge Of A Massive Move Fans Have Awaited
The Cavaliers are getting ready for a busy stretch as free agency nears, with the leagues chatter around the top names and potential dominoes starting to sharpen. Around the NBA, teams are lining up contingency plans and midlevel targets, and Clevelands own situation has become part of that larger conversation as the market begins to take shape.
For Cavs fans, the intrigue is obvious: this is the kind of moment that can alter a rosters direction in a hurry, especially when other contenders are also working through big decisions and limited flexibility. The next move in Cleveland could set the tone for everything that follows, and the timing suggests the answer may not stay hidden for long. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Quietly Made A Big Decision On Nae'Qwan Tomlin
Nae'Qwan Tomlins rise this season has been one of the more encouraging small stories inside a Cavaliers roster built around bigger ambitions. After a strong showing in Summer League, the forward took advantage of a wave of injuries and absences to carve out real minutes, and for a while he looked like the kind of young player who could force his way into the conversation by simply being ready when called on. Along the way, he hit a career high against Toronto and even had a memorable national-TV moment alongside Jaylon Tyson, with the kind of defensive assignments that tend to stick in a coachs mind.
The challenge now is less about proving he can flash and more about proving he can sustain that momentum as the roster settles back into place. His role has already shrunk since the trade deadline, which is the reality for a developing player on a team chasing wins, but Cleveland still seems invested in what he might become if the progress keeps coming. The next stretch will say plenty about whether Tomlin is just an emergency answer or something closer to a long-term piece worth keeping around. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs May Be Forced To Revisit A Backup Center Fans Never Forgot
The Cavaliers went through the draft without adding frontcourt depth, and that leaves their offseason plan pointing toward the veteran market for help behind the starting center spot. Cleveland already added undrafted center Ernest Udeh, Jr. on a two-way deal, but the bigger need is a steady presence who can absorb minutes, show a young big man the ropes and give the roster a little more insurance before camp opens.
One familiar name has surfaced in that conversation, and it is easy to understand why he still resonates with fans who watched him in Cleveland before. Andre Drummond is coming off a solid run with Philadelphia and remains the kind of low-cost option teams can at least discuss at this stage, though a reunion with the Cavaliers is viewed as unlikely. Even so, if Cleveland wants a veteran mentor rather than a long-term answer, this is the sort of market where old faces tend to reappear. [Read more 🡒]