Dwyane Wade is moving to the Cavaliers bench

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 17: Dwyane Wade #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Boston Celtics on October 17, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dwyane Wade asked to come off the bench following horrendous start. His wish has been granted.

Cavaliers head coach Ty Lue has said that Dwyane Wade approached him and asked to come off the bench. Although there was much speculation that Wade would come off the bench to begin the season, Lue gave him the starting job. However, just three games into the season the 35-year-old is set to join the second-unit in Cleveland.

Ty Lue says Dwyane Wade came to him and said he wants to come off the bench. JR Smith back to the starting 5.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 23, 2017

Wade joined the Cavaliers a few weeks ago after agreeing to a buy-out with Chicago. He rejoined his good friend LeBron James in what was supposed to be a great move for Cleveland. But it’s been far from great. Wade is averaging a career-low 5.7 points per game through the season’s first three games. He’s playing over 20 minutes a game, as well. Wade has been one of the most ineffective players to this point, he’s just simply not himself. Whether that can be attributed to his age or not is yet to be seen.

Therefore, J.R. Smith will now start at shooting guard for Cleveland. Smith has an abundance of experience in Lue’s offense and prepared all offseason for the starting job. Even though Smith is averaging slightly less minutes per game (21.7 to Wade’s 23.7), he’s scoring more (6.3 points per game). Although the difference is slight, Smith is believed to be the better option going forward.

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Even though Wade and Smith have been poor as a duo, the Cavaliers are 2-1. Unlike in Phoenix, there’s no reason for panic in Cleveland. Chances are, this move will work out. After all, the Cavaliers still have King James. By and large though, the Wade experiment has been largely disappointing so far. Sorry to those of whom were hoping for the Wade-James Miami-esque performances, it simply isn’t happening.

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