Dean Wade, Keon Ellis leaving Cavaliers in free agency

INDEPENDENCE — The Cavaliers were worried they couldn't afford both Dean Wade and Keon Ellis in free agency. That concern has ended. Wade agreed to a four-year, $39 million deal Tuesday night with the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN reported. Cleveland can thank Mike Gansey for that stinger. The Olmsted Falls native recently left as Cavs general manager to take over as president of basketball operations of the Sixers. Also Tuesday, Ellis agreed to a two-year, $18 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Both were unrestricted free agents. Cleveland wanted desperately to bring back Wade, a low-scoring, defensive-first forward who started 38 games during the regular season last season. He averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists and shot .439 from the field and .362 from the 3-point line in 59 games. The 6-foot-9, 228-pounder spent seven seasons with the Cavs after being signed as an undrafted free agent. Ellis was acquired at the trade deadline along with point guard Dennis Schroder from the Sacramento Kings for forward De'Andre Hunter. The 6-4, 175-pound swingman appeared in 29 games with Cleveland and averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists and shot .491 from the floor and .355 from long distance. Wade and Ellis were strong defensively but a bit limited on offense. The Cavs are maneuvering to try to acquire LeBron James in free agency and needed to shed salary. NBA Cup The Cavs will be in East Group B in the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup. They will be with NBA champion New York, Philadelphia, Miami and Indiana. The game and broadcast schedules for group play will be announced in August. The in-season tournament will tip off Friday, Oct. 30, in NBA markets. Fames will be played every Friday from Oct. 30 through Nov. 27, with additional Cup nights Tuesday, Nov. 24, and Wednesday, Nov. 25. The quarterfinals (Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5) and semifinals (Tuesday, Dec. 8, and/or Wednesday, Dec. 9) will be played in NBA team markets. The tournament will conclude with the championship Friday, Dec. 11, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.