When a team has about 85% of its salary cap tied up in five players, every cheap contributor suddenly matters a whole lot more. That’s the spot the Cavs are in, and it’s why Tyrese Proctor and Meleek Thomas have become far more important than their draft slots or box scores would suggest.
The value shows up in the little things first: a possession extended, a run stopped, a starter getting a needed breather without the offense falling apart. Cleveland’s 115-107 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden put that on display, and beat reporter Chris Fedor laid out why these two second-round picks are already earning real trust.
“The way that you make it so that you survive in today’s NBA with the apron penalties and stuff like that is you find dudes like this. It’s what Oklahoma City does, it’s what San Antonio does, it’s what Boston does. You need these kinds of contributors.”
That’s not just talk about bargain-bin depth. Proctor and Thomas have both shown enough in actual game action to suggest they’re more than placeholders. They were both second-round picks, they both come with modest contracts, and both have started to look like players the Cavs can actually count on.
Fedor said the maturity has stood out, too.
“If you were to put them on the floor in a playoff environment, I think they’d be ready for it. I don’t think they’d be fazed.”
For a reporter who sees the team up close every day, that’s a meaningful stamp of approval.
The Cavs are built around Donovan Mitchell and James Harden handling the ball, which means defenses are always keyed in on those two. That’s where Proctor and Thomas have become useful. They can take some of that burden off the stars, even if it’s just for a few possessions at a time.
As Fedor put it, “Meleek Thomas and Tyrese Proctor have both shown an element of playmaking chops. They have both shown an ability to run some screen and roll stuff with Evan Mobley, with Jarrett Allen, and find a way to just allow Donovan and James to either take a breather or get off the ball for a couple of possessions.”
Proctor’s role has been especially clear. He’s giving Cleveland a Landry Shamet-type presence - moving off screens, knocking down threes, and swinging momentum at the right moment.
Against the Knicks, those shots weren’t empty calories. They were the kind that either tied the game or stretched a one-possession edge into something a little more comfortable.
There’s also a bigger roster angle here. If Proctor and Thomas can keep handling that third ball-handler job, the Cavs may not need to spend trade assets chasing another Dennis Schroder type. That opens the door to using those resources elsewhere, including on backup center help.
Kenny Atkinson has been preaching depth since training camp opened, and these two second-rounders are making that message look pretty sharp.
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Cavs Got The Offensive Spark Fans Have Been Waiting For
The Cavaliers finally found the kind of offensive rhythm fans have been waiting on in a win over the Knicks, with James Harden setting the tone and giving Cleveland a much-needed jolt. Harden finished with 32 points and four assists, while Donovan Mitchell added 23 points and seven rebounds, Jarrett Allen controlled the glass with 14 rebounds, and Tyrese Proctor chipped in 15 points as the rotation produced a balanced night.
For a team that has been searching for cleaner execution and more reliable scoring bursts, the performance offered a welcome glimpse of what this group can look like when the pieces click. The individual grades from the game reflected that mix of established production and emerging help, and Cleveland will be hoping this was more than just a one-night spike against New York. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Finally Delivered The Kind Of Response Fans Needed
After a rough two-game skid, the Cavaliers needed a clean answer, and they got one in a 115-107 win over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Cleveland leaned on James Hardens season-high 32 points and a steady all-around effort from Donovan Mitchell, who finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists, to leave New York with a result that felt important beyond the box score.
The victory pushed Cleveland back to 6-6 and gave the group a little breathing room after a stretch that had started to chip away at early-season momentum. It also offered a useful reminder of what the Cavs can look like when their top scorers are in rhythm and the response is there on the road, even with the kind of late pressure that tends to test a teams composure. [Read more 🡒]
Donovan Mitchell May Be The Key To Fixing Cleveland's Offense
The Cavaliers are still searching for a cleaner offensive rhythm after a 5-6 start, and one of the ideas under discussion is a more Donovan Mitchell-centered approach. Cleveland and coach Kenny Atkinson are looking at different combinations and role tweaks to create better scoring chances, with the broader goal being a more efficient attack than the one that has too often stalled early this season.
Mitchell has already shown he can handle a heavier creation load, which is why this conversation matters for a team trying to settle on a more reliable formula. The question now is how Cleveland balances those responsibilities and whether the current mix can unlock the kind of offense the Cavaliers have been trying to build, even as the staff continues to experiment with who initiates and who works more comfortably off the ball. [Read more 🡒]