K-State in the NBA | Week of Sept. 27–Oct. 3, 2026
Kansas State's most prominent NBA alum made the biggest move of his career this offseason — and he's not shy about it.
Dean Wade signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a value contract this summer, stepping into what may be the most star-studded locker room in recent memory. The 76ers didn't just add Wade in free agency — they acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston in what's being characterized as a lopsided trade, signed Anfernee Simons, and headlined everything with the arrival of LeBron James. For a 6-foot-9 stretch forward who carved out his NBA career as a reliable two-way piece, Wade now gets to share a floor with one of the greatest players in basketball history.
Wade has been candid about the surreal nature of it all. In a feature with The Sporting News, he opened up about what daily life looks like inside Philadelphia's revamped program — and by all accounts, he's soaking it in. "Blessed" was reportedly how he framed his situation, which tracks for a former undrafted prospect from Manhattan, Kansas who has quietly built a decade-long professional career.
Not everything from the offseason has been smooth, however. Comments Wade made about his new team — in the context of his departure from Cleveland — generated some friction, with The Sporting News noting the remarks "rubbed people the wrong way" back in Ohio. He spent several seasons with the Cavaliers and was a respected contributor, so the criticism from his old fanbase carries some weight. It's the kind of transition turbulence that follows players who leave winning situations for something shinier elsewhere.
Meanwhile, LeBron's arrival in Philadelphia has generated its own media circus. At 76ers Media Day, James reportedly made remarks that were widely read as a jab at his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers — adding more tabloid energy to an already high-voltage situation. Wade is now embedded in all of it.
The Other Wildcats
Markquis Nowell enters the 2026–27 season with the Houston Rockets, where the diminutive but electric point guard has been working to cement a long-term role. The 5-foot-8 dynamo out of K-State made waves during his college career with his court vision and playmaking, and the Rockets remain a developing roster with room for him to carve out meaningful minutes.
Keyontae Johnson is with the Charlotte Hornets at center, continuing to develop at the NBA level after an improbable journey back from a serious health scare in college. Johnson's resilience has been well-documented, and his continued presence on an NBA roster remains one of the more compelling human interest stories in the league.
Three Wildcats. Three different chapters. But right now, all eyes are on Dean Wade — the stretch big from K-State who quietly landed in the middle of the NBA's biggest offseason story. Whether Philadelphia's superteam experiment translates to wins in 2026–27 remains to be seen, but Wade has a front-row seat either way.
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