The Philadelphia 76ers paid Dean Wade $38.7 million for a role that looks a lot like the one P.J. Tucker played here. The front office signed Wade to a four-year deal, yet his early minutes show zero points in a recent game against the New York Knicks. This lack of scoring aggression feels familiar to fans who watched Tucker struggle to find the net during his only full season in Philadelphia.
Wade has played just five games so far, averaging 3.6 points and 3.0 rebounds while attempting only 2.0 shots from deep per game. According to The Sixer Sense, his tenure with the team reflects the same situation the Sixers faced with PJ Tucker, who shot 1.9 threes per game and scored 3.5 points. The numbers are strikingly similar for two players brought in to space the floor and defend the perimeter.
Zero Shots in 27 Minutes
The silence on offense is the loudest part of this story. In the game versus the Knicks, Wade found numerous open opportunities but went without a single field goal attempt over 27 minutes. Against the Pistons, he took just five shots in 30 minutes, a meager output for someone holding a max-level contract. Although he notched 10 assists against the Pistons, surpassing his prior career high, the roster requires more than passing when the clock runs low.
LeBron James has praised Wade’s impact, stating last week that “Dean is a perfect player for every team, and he’s going to make winning plays.” Tyrese Maxey echoed this sentiment, telling reporters, “It felt like he was everywhere, right?” when discussing Wade’s defensive presence. The praise is real, but the contract requires more than just good defense and high basketball IQ.
A Historic Shooting Slump
The stats from Yahoo Sports paint a grim picture for a shooter. Wade shoots 30 percent from three on minimal volume, while his average stands at 4.5 field goal attempts per 100 possessions. This mark stands as the lowest among all qualified players in the league. The Sixers urged him to increase his shooting during training camp, but the results have not followed the instruction.
He is currently tallying 3.0 rebounds and 3.6 points per game, playing close to 28 minutes each night. The front office pursued him for his defensive versatility and connective passing, which he has shown. Yet, a $38 million player producing two scoreless games in his first five contests is difficult to justify for a championship contender. The Sixers need Wade to find his shot soon, or this contract will look like a mistake before the season even hits its midpoint.
