Potential Sixers target expected to test free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Philadelphia 76ers are headed into free agency with a few things on their mind, among them is filling out their depth chart. Entering Tuesday night, Philadelphia only has 11 players on their books, with its power forward department lacking, as only Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards, and Jabari Walker currently occupy that spot. While it sounds like a fairly standard pool, for some of them, it’s not their natural position or doesn’t best suit their playstyles.
This task could lead the Sixers’ new President of Basketball Operations, Mike Gansey, to look towards a familiar place to fill the void: the Cleveland Cavaliers, and more specifically, Dean Wade. Wade was among the players drafted under Gansey’s tutelage in Cleveland, and has had a solid career with the Cavaliers thus far, averaging 5,3 points and 3.6 rebounds across his 342 appearances in the NBA.
These numbers might not sound impressive, but given that he’s had to share the floor with the likes of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and other lethal scorers, the rock usually isn’t in his hands. Despite Cleveland making an Eastern Conference Finals run, falling short in a series sweep to the eventual league winners, the New York Knicks, it’s beginning to appear that Wade isn’t entirely set on a return to the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Wade is expected to explore free agency
Being told that barring a last minute change here, Dean Wade will test the market in unrestricted free agency at 6 p.m ET, where Wade is expected to field interest from several playoff teams. https://t.co/q8HmGzRAap
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 30, 2026
As reported by Jake Fischer, Wade is set to test the waters of unrestricted free agency, with several playoff teams expected to pursue him in the weeks to come.
Wade would be a close to perfect fit in Philadelphia’s system, providing a versatile frame to work with in the low post, while also bringing some extensive playoff experience with him. It’d also be a reunion of Gansey and Wade if it were to happen, but for the time being, there have been no links to Philadelphia for the former Cavalier.
The same can’t be said for Kelly Oubre Jr, who could be on his way back to the Xfinity Mobile Arena, as the Sixers are one of the teams that he’s slated to meet with in the weeks to come, according to a recent report on Tuesday night..
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- 76ers decline team option on veteran forward following rough season
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- 76ers’ Free Agency Primer: What do they need?
