Restricted free agent Emoni Bates is back under contract with the Cavaliers, according to the NBA’s official transaction log, which indicates that the forward has signed a two-way deal with Cleveland.
Bates became a restricted free agent when the Cavs issued him a two-way qualifying offer following his rookie season. In all likelihood, he simply accepted that QO, which is the equivalent of another one-year, two-way contract.
A former five-star recruit, Bates was selected 49th overall in the 2023 draft following a pair of up-and-down college seasons at Memphis and Eastern Michigan. The 20-year-old appeared in just 15 games for Cleveland as a rookie, averaging 2.7 points per game on 30.6% shooting in 8.9 minutes per night.
In 27 Showcase Cup and regular season G League games for the Cleveland Charge, Bates showed more promise, putting up 21.6 PPG and 5.7 RPG with a .414/.371/.814 shooting line. He was voted in as a participant in the NBAGL’s Up Next game at All-Star weekend in February.
The Cavaliers have now officially filled one of their two-way slots, with JT Thor reportedly set to fill another. Once Thor’s deal is official, Cleveland will have one more two-way contract to offer.
Bates had been one of just two restricted free agents who remained unsigned. His new deal leaves teammate Isaac Okoro as the only RFA still on the market.