Category: Cleveland Cavaliers Blog

Cavs blog – Cleveland Cavaliers blog, blogging Cavs news, rumors and more

Evan Mobley wins 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of Year award

Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley is the recipient of the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy as the 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

A four-year NBA veteran, Mobley has been named the Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the first time. The 7-footer is the first player to earn the honor with the Cavaliers.

Mobley is the fifth 23-year-old to be selected as the Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, joining Alvin Robertson (1985-86), Dwight Howard (2008-09), Kawhi Leonard (2014-15) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (2022-23). No player younger than 23 has ever won the award, which has been presented annually since the 1982-83 season.

In the 2024-25 regular season, Mobley ranked sixth in the NBA in blocked shots per game (1.59) and 13th in defensive rebounds per game (7.0). He contested 10.4 shots per game, the third most among players who played in at least 70% of their team’s games (58 of 82).

Opponents shot 44.5% from the field when Mobley was the closest defender, 3.2% lower than their expected percentage on those shots (47.7%). That difference was the fourth largest among the 30 players who defended at least 1,000 shots for the season.

Behind Mobley, the Cavaliers ranked eighth in the NBA in defensive rating (111.8) and third in opponents’ field goal percentage (45.4). With him on the court, Cleveland had a defensive rating of 108.6 – which would be No. 2 in the league.

Mobley won the Kia NBA Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month Award twice, for December and February. He was also named an NBA All-Star for the first time.

Overall, Mobley averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 30.5 minutes in 71 games. He helped the Cavaliers (64-18) finish with the second-best record in franchise history and earn the No. 1 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

Cavaliers sign Chuma Okeke

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Chuma Okeke, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Okeke (6-7, 229) has played in seven games (three starts) with the Philadelphia 76ers this season, averaging 6.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 24.4 minutes. The Auburn alum also had a short stint with the NBA G League’s Westchester Knicks this season, appearing in 28 games (26 starts) with averages of 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks in 36.4 minutes.

Originally selected as the No. 16 overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2019 NBA Draft, Okeke has appeared in 196 games (58 starts) over his five-year NBA career, holding averages of 6.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.91 steals in 20.4 minutes with Orlando and Philadelphia. Additionally, he appeared in two playoff games with the Magic during the 2024 postseason.

Okeke will wear #18 for the Cavaliers.

Cavs sign Nae’Qwan Tomlin, waive JT Thor

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin to a two-way contract, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

In a related move, the team has waived forward JT Thor, who appeared in nine games this season for the Cavaliers and 24 games (22 starts) with the Cleveland Charge. Thor was signed as a two-way player with the Cavaliers on September 9.

Tomlin (6-8, 205) signed a 10-day contract with the team on February 10th and appeared in three games for the Cavaliers. Tomlin has also appeared in 37 games (23 starts) this season for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League affiliate, averaging 15.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 blocks in 28.4 minutes. On February 7th versus the Westchester Knicks, he scored a G-League career-high 37 points on 13-24 (.541) shooting from the field, a career-high five made three-pointers to go with 11 rebounds and four blocks in 41 minutes.

A native of Harlem, New York, Tomlin went undrafted after playing collegiately at Memphis (2023-24), Kansas State (2022-23), Chipola College in the NJCAA (2020-22) and Monroe Community College (2019-20). In 57 games (45 starts) at the Division I level, including an Elite Eight appearance with Kansas State, he averaged 11.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.04 steals and 1.04 blocks in 27.0 minutes. During his senior season at Memphis, Tomlin played in 21 games (11 starts) with averages of 14.1 points on .601 shooting from the field, 6.0 rebounds and 1.14 blocks in 26.7 minutes. He also appeared in five games as a member of the Cavaliers 2024 Summer League team.

Cavaliers sign Javonte Green

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard/forward Javonte Green, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Green (6-4, 220) has played in 50 games (18 starts) for the New Orleans Pelicans this season, averaging 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.10 steals and 0.60 blocks in 21.8 minutes. Green, who was waived by New Orleans on Feb. 20, has registered 14 multi-steal performances this season, including a career-high five steals versus Sacramento in his final game with the Pelicans on Feb. 13. He ranked second on the Pelicans in both total steals (55) and blocks (30) and has scored in double figures on seven occasions this season.

In his six NBA seasons with Boston, Chicago and New Orleans, Green has appeared in 245 games (73 starts) with career averages of 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.85 steals in 17.4 minutes. He has reached double figures in scoring in 36 games throughout his career and has four 20-point games, including a 25-point, 13-rebound effort versus New York on April 5, 2024. Additionally, Green has appeared in six career NBA postseason contests. The undrafted pro out of Radford University was named the Big South Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and finished as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds (1,064), steals (245) and games played (133) and ranked second in points (1,911).

Green will wear #8 for the Cavaliers.

Cavaliers sign forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin to 10-day contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin to a 10-day contract, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today.

Tomlin (6-8, 205) has appeared in 35 games (22 starts) this season for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ exclusively owned and operated NBA G League affiliate, averaging 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 blocks in 28.6 minutes. He has recorded some key performances this season with the Charge, including a career-high 37 points on 13-24 (.541) shooting from the field, a career-high five made three-pointers to go with 11 rebounds and four blocks in 41 minutes on February 7th versus the Westchester Knicks.

A native of Harlem, New York, Tomlin went undrafted after playing collegiately at Memphis (2023-24), Kansas State (2022-23), Chipola College in the NJCAA (2020-22) and Monroe Community College (2019-20). In 57 games (45 starts) at the Division I level (2022-24), including an Elite Eight appearance with Kansas State in 2022-23, he averaged 11.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.04 steals and 1.04 blocks in 27.0 minutes. During his senior season at Memphis in 2023-24, Tomlin played in 21 games (11 starts) with averages of 14.1 points on .601 shooting from the field, 6.0 rebounds and 1.14 blocks in 26.7 minutes. He also appeared in five games as a member of the Cavaliers 2024 Summer League team.

Tomlin will wear jersey #30 for the Cavaliers.

Hawks trade De’Andre Hunter to Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday acquired forward De’Andre Hunter in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced from Cleveland Clinic Courts. As part of the trade, the Cavaliers sent three second round picks, two pick swaps and forward Georges Niang and guard Caris LeVert to Atlanta.

Hunter (6-7, 225) has played in 38 games (four starts) for Atlanta this season, averaging a career-high 19.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and a career-high 0.84 steals while shooting .461 from the field, a career-high .393 from the three-point line and .858 from the free-throw line in 28.8 minutes per contest. Hunter leads all NBA reserves this season in scoring, averaging 18.9 points off the bench, which is the highest scoring average for an NBA reserve since Lou Williams in 2017-18 (21.0 points). Hunter has recorded 20 or more points 18 times off the bench this season, the most among all NBA reserves. His 137 free throws made off the bench this season also leads NBA reserves. Hunter scored a career-high 35 points (12-21 FG, 4-8 3FG) against Minnesota on January 27th, tying the NBA season-high for points off the bench in a game this season. Additionally, Hunter scored 15 or more points in 16 straight games off the bench from November 27th to January 1st earlier this season, which is tied for the 11th-longest streak of 15-point games off the bench in NBA history.

“The acquisition of De’Andre Hunter and the potential impact a player of this caliber can bring to Cleveland is immeasurable,” said Altman. “His defensive versatility, in addition to his ability to make shots from the perimeter strengthens our overall depth to an elite level. We were presented with a great opportunity with this trade, one that was beneficial for the short- and long-term future of this franchise. While it’s always difficult to part ways with players who have meant so much to our success, we believe De’Andre, at 27-years-old, aligns with our long-term vision of sustainable success and ultimately competing for Championships.”

Over his six-year NBA career, Hunter has appeared in 300 regular season games (241 starts) with Atlanta, holding averages of 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds in 30.5 minutes. He is also shooting .449 from the field, .368 from the three-point line and .819 from the foul line. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft has also appeared in 16 career postseason games with the Hawks, averaging 16.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 34.3 minutes while also shooting 32-80 (.400) from the three-point line in his playoff career. Hunter played three seasons at University of Virginia, helping the Cavaliers win the national championship in 2019 alongside current Cleveland guard Ty Jerome.

“We want to thank both Caris and Georges for their contributions to our organization,” added Altman. “Their professionalism and dedication both on and off the court have been instrumental in our historic start this season. Caris’ adaptability along with Georges’ leadership and experience have been invaluable, and their time in Cleveland has left a profound and lasting impression. We wish them nothing but the best for the remainder of their NBA careers.”

LeVert (6-6, 205) appeared in 199 games (53 starts) for the Cavaliers over parts of four different seasons (2022-2025) in Cleveland, averaging 12.5 points, 4.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 0.98 steals in 28.5 minutes. He shot .431 from the field, .363 from the three-point line and .738 from the free throw line. LeVert also appeared in 16 postseason games with the Cavaliers over the last two seasons. Over nine NBA seasons, LeVert has played in 498 career regular season games (223 starts) for Brooklyn, Indiana and Cleveland, holding career averages of 13.8 points, 4.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.05 steals in 27.8 minutes.

Niang (6-7. 235) played in 133 games (11 starts) during his two seasons in Cleveland (2023-2025), averaging 9.1 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting .459 from the field, .385 from the three-point line and .831 from the free throw line in 21.7 minutes. He also appeared in 10 playoff games for Cleveland last season. Niang has appeared in 516 regular season games (30 starts) in his career with Indiana, Utah, Philadelphia and Cleveland, holding career averages of 7.2 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting .445 from the field, .398 from the three-point line and .858 from the free throw line in 17.2 minutes. He has also appeared in 56 career postseason games.

Hunter will wear jersey #12 for the Cavaliers and the Cavs roster now sits at 16 players.

Injury update on Cavs forward Dean Wade

The Cleveland Cavaliers released today a status update on forward Dean Wade:

Dean Wade sustained a right knee injury during the third quarter of the Cavaliers’ January 24thgame at Philadelphia. An MRI administered on Monday at Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine revealed a right knee bone bruise. Wade will be re-evaluated in approximately two (2) weeks, following a series of treatment and rehabilitation. His status and return to basketball activities will be updated as appropriate. Wade was not available for the Cavaliers previous two games versus Houston (1/25) and Detroit (1/27).

Kenny Atkinson named East Coach of Month for October and November 2024

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has been named the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November, the NBA announced.

This marks the first time Atkinson has earned Coach of the Month accolades in his career. He is also the 8th coach in Cavaliers history to win the award.

Atkinson led the Cavaliers to a 17-3 record in October/November, which was the best record in the NBA and helped secure 12 wins in the month of November alone, marking the second-most wins by the Cavs in the month of November in team history (13 wins in November in 2008). The Cavaliers started the 2024-25 campaign with a franchise-best 15-0 record from October 23rd to November 17th, breaking the previous mark to start a season of 8-0 set in 1976-77. The Cavs 15-0 record also tied the 2nd-best start to a season in NBA history, with Atkinson becoming the first head coach in NBA history with an undefeated record through his first 15 games with a new team. His 15-0 mark was also the best start to a tenure with a team for any coach in NBA history, surpassing the previous mark held by Lawrence Frank, who won his first 13 games with the Nets from January 27th to February 24th, 2004. Cleveland’s 15-straight wins was also the longest winning streak in franchise history.

Cleveland led the NBA in October and November in points per game (122.4 PPG), field goal percentage (.511 FG%) and three-point percentage (.402 3FG%). The Cavaliers also ranked in the top 10 in the NBA in points per game differential (3rd, +9.8), steals per game (7th, 9.25 SPG), turnovers per game (5th-fewest, 13.1 TO), assist to turnover ratio (3rd, 2.15) and defensive rating (7th, 112.2). Offensively, Cleveland scored at least 110 points in 18 of their 20 games and scored 130 or more points six times, already setting the franchise record for games with 130 or more points in a single season (surpassing the previous record of five games with 130 or more points in 2016-17). Atkinson and the Cavaliers finished the month of November with a 10-1 record at home (2nd-best home record in the NBA) and a 7-2 record on the road (T-2nd best road record in the NBA).

Cavaliers waive Pete Nance, Jules Bernard, Zhaire Smith, and Jacob Gilyard

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived Pete Nance, Jules Bernard, Zhaire Smith, and Jacob Gilyard, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced yesterday from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

The Cavaliers will open the 2024-25 regular season on Wednesday, October 23 at the Toronto Raptors, followed by the home opener on Friday, October 25 versus the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

The current roster stands at 17 players, including three two-ways.

Cavs re-sign Tristan Thompson

The Cleveland Cavaliers have re-signed center Tristan Thompson, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Thompson (6-10, 250), a member of the franchise’s first-ever NBA championship team in 2016, appeared in 49 games this past season, averaging 3.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per contest. Selected by the Cavaliers as the No. 4 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and at the time was the highest drafted Canadian-born player in league history, Thompson ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in offensive rebounds (second, 2,188), total rebounds (third, 5,567), defensive rebounds (fifth, 3,379), blocks (fifth, 461), games played (fifth, 668) and minutes (eighth, 17,922). His 447 consecutive regular season games played from Feb. 10, 2012 to April 4, 2017 remains the longest streak in Cavaliers history.

The 13-year NBA veteran center has played in 779 regular season games (478 starts) for Cleveland, Boston, Sacramento, Indiana and Chicago with averages of 8.7 points on .521 shooting from the field and 8.1 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per contest.

Thompson, who started all 21 postseason games during the Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA title run, has played in 104 playoff games (70 starts) over his career, averaging 6.5 points on .557 shooting from the field and 7.2 rebounds in 25.2 minutes. Thompson is also the Cavaliers’ all-time postseason leader in offensive rebounds (297) and ranks second in franchise playoff history in total rebounds (686), third in defensive rebounds (389), second in games played (88), fourth in blocked shots (68), ninth in points scored (613) and ninth in field goals made (231).