Free agency is almost here, and on that note, the rumor mill is now churning even faster. In fact, the Philadelphia 76ers seem to have taken on a pretty active stance in the open market, as latest reports indicate that they are in the running for free agent forward Dean Wade. Heck, they might just be the strongest suitor for him, and they have Mike Gansey to thank for that.
Gansey, who was recently installed as the new president of basketball operations for the 76ers, has a leg up on his other counterparts with respect to Wade. After all, he was the one who brought him to Cleveland as an undrafted rookie. That familiarity will definitely give them a stronger bid to acquire the coveted forward's services this offseason.
After cutting ties with Trendon Watford and given that Kelly Oubre Jr. is increasingly becoming likely to leave Philly due to his free agency situation, the 76ers have an even direr need to sign a forward. Wade is certainly someone who can lend them a hand with his versatility as a frontcourt piece, so it is no surprise that he is commanding major interest in the open market.
The 76ers have a leg up in the Dean Wade bidding war thanks to Mike Gansey
Team executives often use their familiarity with their former cogs to get an advantage over the other bidders when those players hit the open market, so it is definitely a good thing to see Gansey work his magic with Wade. That is more so the case because the 29-year-old is rapidly becoming a popular figure in free agency, so the 76ers are not a lone wolf in the bidding war.
Wade's raw numbers are far from impressive, but his impact cannot be felt with those figures alone. There is a reason why playoff teams are coveting him. After all, with his big frame, he can play both forward positions. He is especially effective as a defender, and his three-point shooting likewise bolsters his appeal.
At this juncture, the 76ers need Wade. He is not a ball-dominant player, and he sticks to his job as a three-and-D piece who does not commit a lot of mistakes and thrives particularly well on the less glamorous end of the floor. That is precisely the kind of player they need on the roster next to their talented stars.
If the 76ers do succeed in their pursuit of Dean Wade, they can for sure thank Mike Gansey for it. After all, the new team president is already making his impact felt. Hopefully, that can reverberate across the entire offseason.
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