The Cavaliers have decided to use their third and final two-way contract on forward Emoni Bates, the team’s lone draft pick (No. 49 overall).
This isn’t to say Bates has no chance at the standard roster before or during the season — but for now, he will split his time between the parent club and the G League’s Cleveland Charge.
After the acquisitions of Max Strus and Georges Niang, the 6-foot-9 Bates may have trouble cracking the rotation. So getting some reps in the G League likely will not hurt.
Bates drew comparisons to Kevin Durant when he came out of high school, but was inconsistent in college stops at Memphis and Eastern Michigan after reclassifying. Still, his length and upside were intriguing to the Cavs seemingly from the moment he declared for the draft.
Second-year forward Isaiah Mobley and undrafted rookie guard Craig Porter Jr. have been signed to the Cavs’ other two-way contracts. Teams previously had only been permitted to carry two two-way players. This is the first year they can have three.
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