As training camp gets closer around the NBA, teams are still filling out the edges of their rosters, and the Cavaliers made one of those moves with Sean McNeil. Cleveland signed the guard to an Exhibit-10 deal, bringing back a player who has spent the last two seasons with the Cleveland Charge.
The move fits the usual Exhibit-10 pattern. These contracts are not partially guaranteed and are often used to secure G-League rights before the season begins in November. For the Cavs, McNeil gives them another shooter to evaluate while also keeping a familiar name in the organization.
McNeil’s calling card has always been his shot. Over a four-year college career split between West Virginia and Ohio State from 2019-2023, he knocked down 214 threes at nearly 37%. That kind of production points to exactly what he does best: spacing the floor and making teams pay when they leave him open.
He kept that going with the Charge last season, averaging 10 points per game while hitting 42% of his long-range attempts. Even while playing alongside some real stars, he held his own by leaning into the skill that stands out most.
Cleveland could also have more flexibility in its two-way situation. The team may wind up with another opening if it decides to move on from Riley Minix, which would leave more than one G-League spot in play. For now, though, the roster picture still includes Tristan Enaruna, Riley Minix, and Ernest Udeh Jr. on two-way deals.
That makes McNeil’s path to the main roster tough, though not completely closed. It remains unlikely that he earns a Cavaliers roster spot, but Exhibit-10 deals can create opportunities if a player keeps making noise. Guys are often waived from two-way contracts after training camp or even during the season, so the door is never fully shut.
For McNeil, the more realistic outcome is another run with the Charge, where he has already shown he can be useful. The 6 '3 guard should get a larger role this year, and with the season still about eight weeks away, there’s time for the picture to change.
The Cavaliers know what they’re getting here: a confident perimeter shooter who will let it fly. If McNeil gets a chance to share the floor with James Harden and/or Donovan Mitchell, he’ll have the kind of setup that lets him do what he does best - can-and-shoot and let it go.
He’s also been compared to former Clevwland Summer-Leaguer and NBA player Matt Ryan. Time will tell what he can do, but the Exhibit-10 deal looks most likely to lead him back to the Charge.
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