When the Cleveland Cavaliers took a swing on Emoni Bates with the 49th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, it was the kind of low-risk, high-reward move teams often make late in the second round. Bates, once a five-star phenom and the talk of high school basketball circles, came into the NBA as a reclamation project-raw talent in need of serious refinement. But now, just a couple years later, that pick is starting to look more like a missed opportunity than a savvy gamble.
Bates never quite found his footing in Cleveland. Despite the Cavaliers’ reputation as a team that develops young talent well, they weren’t able to unlock the version of Bates that once had scouts salivating.
He’s now out of the NBA rotation entirely, trying to claw his way back through the G League. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that could’ve used some help this season-especially considering who was still on the board when they picked him.
Let’s talk about the three players taken after Bates who are already proving their worth in the league. Toumani Camara, Jaylen Clark, and Trayce Jackson-Davis each bring something different to the table, but all three have carved out legitimate NBA roles. And in hindsight, any one of them would’ve provided more immediate value to a Cavaliers team that’s dealt with injuries and depth issues throughout the 2025 campaign.
Toumani Camara: A Defensive Anchor in the Making
Camara has been the standout of the group. Drafted by the Trail Blazers, he didn’t just make the roster-he made the rotation.
In fact, he started 49 games as a rookie and played nearly 25 minutes per night. That’s not just impressive for a second-round pick-it’s rare.
What’s made Camara such a valuable piece for Portland is his defensive versatility. He fits the mold of the modern two-way forward, capable of switching across multiple positions and bringing energy on every possession.
His sophomore season only reinforced that value. Camara averaged 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while starting all 78 games he appeared in.
His shooting splits-46% from the field, 38% from three, and 73% from the line-show he’s no liability on offense either.
But defense is where he’s really made his mark. Camara earned All-Defensive Second Team honors in just his second year, a testament to both his skill and his motor. Portland clearly sees him as part of their long-term core, locking him up with a four-year, $81 million deal that runs through the 2029-30 season.
Clark and Jackson-Davis: Reliable Contributors in Their Own Right
While Camara has been the breakout, both Jaylen Clark and Trayce Jackson-Davis have shown they belong in the league.
Clark has found a role with the Minnesota Timberwolves, coming off the bench and giving them solid minutes on the wing. He’s averaging 14.8 minutes per game and brings the kind of defensive grit and athleticism that coaches love in a rotation player. He’s not lighting up the box score, but he’s doing the little things that keep him on the court.
Then there’s Jackson-Davis, who’s been a steady presence for the Golden State Warriors. He’s filled in admirably when called upon, even earning starts at times. His ability to contribute in a system like Golden State’s-one that demands high IQ and unselfish play-is a strong indicator of his basketball maturity and readiness.
The Cavaliers’ Missed Opportunity
It’s easy to say in hindsight, but the Cavaliers could’ve really used a player like Camara, Clark, or Jackson-Davis this season. With injuries thinning out the rotation, having another dependable contributor-especially one who brings defensive value-would’ve made a difference. Instead, they’re left hoping that Bates can still develop into something down the line, even as he works his way back from the fringes of the league.
Draft misses happen. Especially in the second round, where the success rate is historically low.
But what makes this one sting a little more is how close the Cavaliers were to landing a player who could’ve helped them right now. Camara’s emergence as a legitimate two-way force, Clark’s steady bench minutes, and Jackson-Davis’s frontcourt flexibility all highlight what might’ve been.
For Cleveland, it’s a lesson in how crucial even the later picks can be-especially when the right player is still on the board.