Nae’Qwan Tomlin Giving the Cavs a Much-Needed Jolt
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been searching for answers this season - and for a while, it felt like they were coming up empty. Injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of energy had this team looking like a shadow of its 2024-25 self.
But over the last couple of weeks, something has started to shift. The Cavs have won seven of their last 11 games, and while there are plenty of factors behind the turnaround, one name keeps popping up: Nae’Qwan Tomlin.
Tomlin wasn’t exactly on everyone’s radar heading into the new year, but that’s changed in a hurry. The 6-foot-10 forward has injected some much-needed life into a Cavaliers rotation that was lacking spark - and he’s doing it with the kind of effort and versatility that coaches love and teammates feed off.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a feel-good story. Tomlin’s minutes haven’t just increased - he’s earned them.
After barely seeing the floor earlier in the season (he didn’t log more than seven minutes in a single game through 2024), January has brought a different story. He’s now played meaningful minutes in all nine of his games this month, and the results speak for themselves.
What’s making the difference? For starters, Tomlin is bringing energy on both ends of the floor.
His outside shot still needs work - that part of his game is a project - but he’s not being asked to be a floor-spacer right now. He’s being asked to rebound, defend, and play hard.
And he’s checking all those boxes.
On offense, he’s shown a surprising level of polish. He’s finishing around the rim with confidence and composure, and he’s making smart decisions when the ball finds him - whether that means putting it on the deck or making the extra pass. His low turnover rate is a testament to his feel for the game, especially for a player still adjusting to the NBA pace.
Defensively, Tomlin has been even more intriguing. Coming out of the G League, the book on him was that his defense might be a liability.
But lately, he’s flipping that narrative. He’s using his length, athleticism, and quick feet to stay in front of guys and switch across multiple positions.
It’s the kind of defensive versatility that’s hard to teach - and even harder to find.
He’s not locking anyone down just yet, but he’s competing. And for a young player trying to carve out a role on a team that’s still trying to figure itself out, that’s exactly what you want to see.
It’s also worth noting that he’s not doing this in garbage time. These are real, competitive minutes in games that matter.
The Cavs are still navigating a tricky stretch of the season, and they’re not in a position to hand out playing time as charity. Tomlin is on the floor because he’s helping them win.
There’s still plenty of development ahead, and yes, Tomlin is older than your typical rookie. But that doesn’t mean his ceiling is capped. What we’re seeing now is a player making the most of his opportunity - and showing that he belongs.
The Cavaliers needed a lift, and Nae’Qwan Tomlin has delivered one. He’s not just filling a gap - he’s building a case to be part of this team’s long-term plans. For a franchise looking to re-establish its identity, that’s a win in more ways than one.