The Cleveland Cavaliers signed Eastern Michigan forward Emoni Bates to a two-way contract, the Cavs officially announced via their Twitter account.
Bates was selected with the No. 49 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after he split time with the Memphis Tigers and the Eastern Michigan Eagles. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game during his lone season with the Eagles, leading the team in scoring despite shooting at an inefficient 40.5% from the field and 33% from the 3-point line.
Cleveland rounded out its two-way spots with former Wichita State guard Craig Porter Jr. and Cavs and Charge forward Isaiah Mobley. Mobley signed a two-way contract with the Cavs in 2022 before playing in 22 regular season games for the Charge and 12 games for the Cavaliers. Porter and Mobley were officially signed to two-way deals on Tuesday.
The Cavaliers have 13 players under contract for the 2023-24 season, according to sports contract and salaries website Spotrac. Cleveland re-signed guard Caris LeVert to a two-year, $32 million contract last Friday. It pulled off a sign-and-trade for Miami Heat guard Max Strus that sent forwards Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens to San Antonio.
Emoni Bates, Mobley and Porter Jr. will all suit up for the Cavs during the 2023 NBA Summer League run, highlighting a team featuring former North Carolina forward Pete Nance, Gran Canaria center Kahlifa Diop and Charge guard Sharife Cooper. Cleveland will first take on the Brooklyn Nets at 8:30 p.m. EDT on Friday in Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nev. The game will be streamed on NBA TV.
Cavs President of Basketball Operations spoke on Bates during a Friday media availability.
“There are no expectations here,” Altman said, via Right Down Euclid Editor-in-Chief Evan Dammarell. “You don’t have to come in here and shock the world. You can just come and have fun here. … Everyone expected the next KD and it’s ok if he’s not that.”