Dean Wade gives his thoughts on joining Sixers on a free agency deal

The Philadelphia 76ers have been aggressive in the offseason as the team’s new front office regime looks to retool the roster in an effort to climb the ladder in the Eastern Conference. At the outset of the free agency period, the Sixers brought in Dean Wade on a reported 4-year $39 million deal as they look to add to the supporting cast for this group.

Wade averaged 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 43.9% from the floor and 36.2% from deep. He is a low-usage player as he is focused on doing the little things to help a team win, whether that means spacing the floor properly, knocking down an open 3-pointer, or defending the opponent’s best player, Wade will do it.

“I just think the pieces that we have, I mean, there’s going to be a bunch of open space, and I think that’s kind of where I do my best,” said Wade via Zoom on Tuesday. “Just giving (Tyrese) Maxey, Jaylen Brown, all those guys, space to operate, and if they kick it out and shoot the 3 once or twice. Then, on the defensive end, just do what I’ve always done. Just play hard, be a switchable, versatile defender, and I think that was a big reason was just kind of fit, and all that to the team. So, I’m excited.”

While with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Wade would take on different defensive assignments night in and night out, especially in the playoffs. He would defend the likes of Detroit Pistons stars Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren to New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson to Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes as well as a number of others. It didn’t matter the player or the position, Wade stepped up and handled his business. That’s a competitive level the Sixers could use.

“I think it’s just something you kind of develop,” Wade explained. “When I was younger, I hated losing. Like, I was the worst loser. Like, my parents would beat me at, like, a card game, and I would, like, lose my mind, but that competitive edge just kind of came from just I want to be in games, I want to be competing at the highest level with the best players.”

Not a lot of people will point out Wade’s work on the floor during Cleveland’s big season, but he was hugely important to their success and how far the team was able to go in the postseason.

“I think, especially on the defensive end, it’s kind of a thankless job being a defender, but it’s one of the most important things you can do,” Wade added. “You got to go out there and guard the best players even if it’s not in your position. Like, in the playoffs, I was guarding point guards, I was guarding 4s. I was, that was guarding kind of everybody, and you just got to take pride and have that chip on your shoulder and go out there and compete every game.”

I’ve also gotta highlight the defense. Wade isn’t some lockdown defender, but he’s tough and he can move his feet. Look what he does here against Paolo Banchero as he matches up physically and gets credited for a block. pic.twitter.com/TM3q02Usoz

— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) July 1, 2026

The Sixers will benefit from having somebody like Wade alongside Maxey, Brown, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective out on the floor and his defensive work will make life easier for Philadelphia on plenty of occasions.

“The competitiveness, I think, especially, you know, here everyone in the NBA is so skilled and got so much athleticism,” Wade finished. “I think the extra little competitive edge kind of gives people another little step. I just try to go out there every game and kind of just compete at the highest level.”

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Dean Wade gives his thoughts on joining Sixers on a free agency deal