Emoni

Bates

Wade is on Cleveland’s lengthy list of absentees for Sunday’s game, which has no bearing on the team’s seeding for next week’s playoffs. Emoni Bates and Luke Travers, who have rarely played this season, should see rotation minutes against the Pacers.

Bates agreed to a two-way contract with Cleveland in August, and after showing off how much muscle he added at media day, he will now be sidelined for at least the first two weeks of the regular season. This won’t have much of a fantasy impact, since he was expected to spend most of his time in the G-League anyway.

After spending his rookie campaign on a two-way contract, Bates will return to the Cavaliers on similar terms. He appeared in 15 NBA games in 2023-24, averaging 2.7 points and 0.9 rebounds in under nine minutes. Even if Cleveland does not bring back Isaac Okoro, who remains a restricted free agent, Bates is unlikely to get the run needed to make a dent in fantasy basketball.

Bates and the Cavaliers got off to a hot start and did not look back, rebounding from their opening night loss in impressive fashion. After spending last season on a two-way contract, Bates was issued a qualifying two-way offer, making him a restricted free agent. The 20-year-old wing offers solid upside, and continuing to play well in Las Vegas will go a long way toward securing his NBA future.

Porter Jr. got the start at point guard for this game with Darius Garland sidelined, and they don’t really have any other guard options available to close out this game. Max Strus and Emoni Bates will likely take on some of the ball handling duties.

Cleveland could end up incredibly short-handed for Saturday’s game with LeVert as a late addition to the injury report. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are already out, and Sam Merrill is questionable as well. Craig Porter Jr. should be in line to start once again and play big minutes, with Emoni Bates potentially playing an extended role as well.

Bates’ production has improved by the game in what has been a good preseason for the rookie wing. Of course, with the Cavaliers resting four starters and not having a fifth (Jarrett Allen) due to injury, there was more room for bit players like Bates to flourish. Give him credit for taking advantage of the situation. That said, Cleveland’s depth on the wings will make it difficult for Bates to provide consistent fantasy value this season. He is someone who fantasy managers in dynasty leagues should select in drafts, but redraft league managers can afford to hold off.

Bates was one of Cleveland’s best performers at Summer League, and he finished his run in Las Vegas with a complete performance. The 49th overall pick in last month’s draft, Bates had the look of a player who could potentially develop into a steal for the Cavaliers. He’ll be on a two-way contract next season, as will Craig Porter Jr., who added eight points, nine rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and one block in 30 minutes on Monday. With Bates, Porter, and title game Isaiah Mobley all on two-way deals, Cleveland’s G League affiliate stands to be pretty good next season.

Bates didn’t offer any defensive production, but his efficiency on the offensive end of the floor has improved by the game in Las Vegas. The second-round pick is unlikely to be a factor in fantasy basketball as a rookie, but the Cavaliers should be encouraged by the growth shown by Bates over the course of Summer League. Sam Merrill added 19 points, four rebounds, five assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 36 minutes, and he may be competing with Bates for a spot on the back end of the rotation when training camp begins. And that may be the best-case scenario for both players.

After putting together solid performances in his first two Summer League games, Bates was outstanding in the Cavaliers’ demolition of Memphis. Offensively, he got to his spots and scored in an efficient manner, while he was also impactful defensively due to his length and athleticism. Bates has already signed a two-way contract and is capable of turning into a second-round steal if he can remain focused because the raw skills are there. Given what he’s shown in Las Vegas thus far, Bates is someone to keep an eye on when training camp rolls around.