The Cavs have completed two of their three allocated two-way contracts by re-signing Emoni Bates. The former second-round pick played primarily for the Cleveland Charge last season and made 15 appearances for the Cavs.
Emoni Bates has signed a new two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to the NBA transaction log.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) 20 August 2024
Bates now joins JT Thor as Cavaliers on two-way contracts. Signing Bates means the Cavs only have one more two-way contract to offer.
Cavs re-sign former high school star to two-way deal
About Emoni Bates
Last season, Bates played in 15 games for the Cavs as a rookie, totaling just 133 minutes. He will look to build on his rookie season as he gets another chance to make the Cavs’ NBA roster. Bates played 17 games for the Charge last year, averaging 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists. The 6-foot-1 wing also made just 34.6% of his three-pointers on an astonishing 10.7 attempts per game.
Bates has shown in the G-League that he is a high-level scorer. He has an extremely high shot volume of 17.2 shots per game. To make the Cavs roster, he will need to improve his efficiency as he will be operating with a lower shot volume. Additionally, Bates has reduced his weight from 175 pounds to 190 pounds on his way to the team. His added size will make him a far better defender, rebounder and slasher. Coming out of high school, Bates was a five-star recruit and the number one small forward prospect according to 247 Sports. His slender frame and agility made him a player to watch. Despite his forgettable college career, Bates made it to Cleveland where he showcased his talent. If he continues to work on his skills and frame this season, Bates could be a staple in 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 this summer. First, Luke Travers is a viable option. The young Australian recently opted out of his contract with his NBL team as he hopes to join the Cavs’ roster. Travers has played for the Cleveland Summer League team in each of the past two seasons. Another option is Pete Nance, who spent last season with the Charge while also appearing in eight games for the NBA team. During his time with the Charge, Nance averaged 13.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 26 games. It’s likely that if Nance gets the contract, he will once 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 while making some appearances for the Cavs. Mobley is the most likely of the three options, as the Cavs’ front office apparently thinks highly of the 24-year-old. The former second-round pick played 23 games for the Charge, averaging 18.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
The most interesting option on this list is certainly Luke Travers. The 22-year-old winger has already shown signs of being a game-changing winger on the Cavs Summer League team, and if management decides to sign him, it might not be long before he makes his debut as a Cavalier.
