Emoni Bates returns to Cleveland Cavaliers on two-way deal.
Bates will be back in Cleveland this season.
Emoni Bates has re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a two-way deal according to the NBA transaction log. The Cavs now have one more two-way slot remaining after signing JT Thor last week.
Bates spent his rookie season developing mostly in the G-League. His time with the Charge was largely successful with Bates posting averages of 21.6 points and 5.7 rebounds in 27 games. However, Bates has left a few developmental checkmarks incomplete.
We still haven’t had an opportunity to see Bates properly play without the ball. It can be tough to achieve this in the G-League with few creators available to set the table for Bates. He’s been featured more with the ball in Summer League and with the Charge than he would be if Bates was to crack Cleveland’s main rotation. This is a problem waiting to be solved.
Bates’ natural gift as a shooter makes him a popular prospect for good reason. He’s a tough shot-maker in a league that values shot-making as a premium. But carving out a role for himself will be an ongoing battle in year two. He was inefficient from the floor as a rookie, shooting below 40% from the field and under 35% from deep. This is digestible with the Charge but would never fly at the NBA level.
Making another run at this relationship is fair for both sides. The Cavs would love a homegrown talent who can develop into a premier three-point shooter on the wing. Likewise, Bates should be jumping at every chance to establish himself as a pro. The Cavs have invested in him for at least one more season. Putting it all together will be Bates’ responsibility.
