Imagine claiming the franchise only uses Dean in case of "emergency," yet he's the first player off the bench last game...they sign him to a multi-year, guaranteed contract, and won't give him away in trade...and instead WAIVE one of the most beloved players in franchise history to make room for Dean...and somehow being upset with the franchise for it...
Dean is the kind of player Cleveland LOVES. Undrafted --> 2-way --> Nonguaranteed --> Guaranteed --> Not wanting to trade. Does the dirty work. Looks like hes from Brecksville. Plays hard. On the court, he's getting himself in Varejao/Delly territory. His pee wee coach wants him in Price/Daugherty/AC/Lebron territory, though. It makes it quite hard to be a Dean fan. At least harder than it should be.
Phoenix was struggling with depth, yet Yuta wasn't playing. Bol wasn't playing. Keita wasn't playing. Is it a forgone conclusion Dean would've played? Maybe in Miami? But then there's still a logjam with Jimmy, KLove and Bam. Does he play over Duncan, Caleb, Jaime, or Highsmith? They can't even find time for Jovic. Grass ain't always greener. Thomas Bryant wanted to get out of LA, then played less in Denver, and now even less in Miami. The Cavaliers have LOTS invested in Dean (when no other team was willing to), and his circle can't even be a little patient.
