The Cavs have finalized two of their three allotted two-way contracts by re-signing Emoni Bates. The former second-round pick played mainly for the Cleveland Charge last season while making 15 appearances for the Cavs.
Emoni Bates has re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a two-way contract, per the NBA transaction log.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 20, 2024
Bates now joins J.T. Thor as Cavalier’s on two-way deals. The Bates signing means the Cavs have just one more two-way deal to offer out.
Cavs Re-Sign Former High School Standout to Two-Way Deal
About Emoni Bates
Last season as a rookie, Bates played in 15 games with the Cavs totaling just 133 minutes of action. He will look to build off of his rookie campaign as he receives another shot to make the Cavs’ NBA roster. Bates played 17 games with the Charge last year averaging 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. The 6’10” wing also just 34.6% from three on a staggering 10.7 attempts per game.
Bates has shown flashes as a high-level scorer in the G-League. His volume has been extremely high shooting 17.2 shots per game. To make the Cavs roster, he will need to improve his efficiency as he will work from a lower volume. Additionally, Bates has gone from 170 to 190 pounds as he attempts to make the team. Adding size to his frame will make him a vastly better defender, rebounder, and slasher. Out of high school, Bates was a five-star recruit and the number one small forward prospect, according to 247 Sports. His narrow frame and agility made him a must-watch. Despite having a forgettable collegiate career, Bates made his way to Cleveland, where he has shown his raw talent. If he continues to grow his ability and frame this season, Bates could be a staple of the Cavs lineup in the near future.
Final Two-Way Contract
There are a few possibilities as to who could receive the Cavs’ final two-way contract of the summer. Firstly, Luke Travers is a viable option. The young Australian recently terminated his contact with his NBL side as he hopes to make the Cavs roster. Travers has played for the Cleveland Summer League team in each of the last two seasons. Another option is Pete Nance, who spent last season with the Charge while also appearing in eight games for the NBA team. While with the Charge, Nance averaged 13.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 26 games. It is likely that if Nance receives the deal, he will again spend a majority of the season with the Charge. Finally, there’s Isaiah Mobley, the younger brother of Evan Mobley. The forward is another player who has spent time with the Charge whilst making a few appearances for the Cavs. Mobley is the likeliest of the three options as the Cavs front office seems to be high on the 24-year-old. The former second-round pick played in 23 games with the Charge averaging 18.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
The most intriguing option on this list is certainly Luke Travers. The 22-year-old wing has shown flashes of a playmaking wing while with the Cavs Summer League team. If the front office elects to sign him, it may not be long before he makes his debut as a Cavalier.
