The Cleveland Cavaliers will start 35-year-old Dwyane Wade at the shooting guard position and move J.R. Smith, last year’s starter, to the bench, says head coach Tyronn Lue.
Tyronn Lue says he has named Dwyane Wade his starting shooting guard to start the season. J.R. Smith will come off the bench.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 9, 2017
Wade starting, while perhaps not the best move from a basketball standpoint, was inevitable. That starting spot was reportedly a part of the pitch that brought the veteran shooting guard to Cleveland after being bought out by the Chicago Bulls.
In September, Wade signed with the Cavs on a one-year deal worth $2.3 million.
Smith recently said that he won’t get into a “blank-measuring contest” with Wade over the starting spot, and also said: “I’m going to continue to work hard for our team and however they choose to do it, that’s who it’s going to be.”
So, it sounds like Smith is approaching this in a level-headed manner, and won’t be too upset.
Wade’s partner in the backcourt would be Isaiah Thomas, but Thomas is expected to be sidelined until January. Until then, it will presumably be Derrick Rose, another veteran-minimum offseason acquisition by the Cavaliers.
