The Cleveland Cavaliers reached the final four in 2025-26, but the way that run ended made it clear they needed more help heading into the 2026-27 season.
They went out with a sweep at the hands of the eventual champions, New York, in the Western Conference Finals, and the front office responded by adding another piece in Peyton Watson, a promising wing who brings scoring and defense after a breakout year with Denver.
Cleveland also used its lone pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to bring in another young talent, taking former Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas at No. 34 overall.
Thomas’ college production was strong across the board. In his only season with the Razorbacks, he averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 43.5% from the field and 41.6% from 3-point range on 5.3 attempts per game.
He also checked in at the 2026 NBA Combine at 6-foot-3 without shoes and posted a 6-foot-6-and-three-quarters wingspan.
There was some thought that Thomas might go back to school and wait to enter the draft in 2027, but he stayed in the 2026 class and slid to the second round. A return to college might have boosted his stock, but he appears to have landed in a spot that suits him, and he has a chance to beat his draft slot this season.
That possibility got a boost in Las Vegas. In four Summer League games, Thomas put up 27.3 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and two steals per contest while hitting 50% of his shots and 43.8% from deep on eight attempts a game.
Summer League doesn’t always tell the full story, but Thomas’ numbers were hard to ignore. They suggest he may be ready to help early, which is exactly what Cleveland would want from a second-round rookie.
If he carries that momentum into the preseason, Thomas could work his way into Kenny Atkinson’s rotation right away and give the Cavaliers another scorer and perimeter threat off the bench.
He’s still only 20, so even modest production would be a win for Cleveland on a rookie contract.
The preseason will give the Cavaliers a better read on how he handles real NBA competition. Cleveland opens Oct. 8 against the Boston Celtics and then has two games against the Orlando Magic. The Oct. 13 matchup with Orlando will be televised on Peacock.