Meleek Thomas has done enough to make the Cavs keep watching closely.
The rookie’s shot has already become part of the conversation. He has knocked down 18 of 40 attempts from 3-point range, a 45 percent clip that gives Cleveland a reason to believe in what he can do offensively. He also put up 12 points against the Sixers on Friday, and he’s looked comfortable sharing the floor with the Cavs’ established scorers.
That matters because defenses have to respect him now. For a young guard, that’s the first step toward carving out a real role.
The bigger question is what comes next. Can Thomas do more than finish possessions? Can he start creating them for others?
Mack Perry of Cavaliers On SI dug into that possibility, looking at Thomas as a potential starting point guard down the road. It’s a worthwhile idea, but it doesn’t mean Cleveland needs to hand him James Harden’s job after 10 games.
Harden’s early stretch has only sharpened the discussion. He’s averaging 15.7 points and 5.8 assists while shooting 36.6 percent from the field, according to Perry. His seven-point outing against the Knicks on Saturday didn’t do much to quiet the questions.
Still, there’s a clear gap between hitting open looks and running an offense. Harden knows how to get a big man involved, shift defenders and locate a second option when the first one is taken away.
Thomas has to learn that side of the job. The Cavs don’t need to rush it. They can give him chances without expecting him to absorb everything at once.
More possessions alongside Donovan Mitchell would tell them plenty. So would a closer look at how Thomas handles the pick-and-roll and whether he can consistently put the ball where teammates need it.
Cleveland is trying to win now, but finding another reliable ball handler could help in the short term and answer a longer-term question at the same time.
Thomas has earned a longer look. What comes next should depend on what he does with it.
In Other News...
Cavaliers Backcourt Gamble Is Starting To Look Like A Serious Mistake
The Cavaliers made a bold backcourt swing when they dealt Darius Garland to land James Harden from the Clippers, betting that the veteran guard could give them a higher ceiling in the postseason. Instead, the early returns have only sharpened the scrutiny around the move, because Garland has been the more productive player since the deal in the categories Cleveland cared about most, while Harden has looked increasingly like a star whose best days are behind him.
For Cleveland, the concern is less about one rough stretch than the broader shape of the trade. Hardens recent form and playoff track record have raised real questions about whether the Cavaliers gave up a younger, more reliable creator for a name that still carries weight but may not deliver the same impact when the games matter most. The front office wanted certainty at the top of the lineup, and so far the gamble has left the Cavaliers waiting for a payoff that has yet to arrive. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs May Not Be Done Turning To The Charge This Season
The Cavaliers have already dipped into their two-way pipeline this season, leaning on Tristan Enaruna and then bringing back Riley Minix when Enaruna went down. Minixs return gave Cleveland another look at how much value can come from the G League side of the roster, and it kept the Charge in the conversation as more than just a development stop. For a team trying to stay nimble over the long haul, that kind of depth can matter as much as any midseason trade.
With that in mind, there are a few names in Canton worth keeping an eye on as the season moves along. The Cavaliers could again turn to their affiliate if they need another body or want to reward someone who has earned a closer look, and the Charge have multiple players who fit that conversation. The next call-up may not be far away, which is exactly why this part of the roster still feels worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Core Just Raised The Pressure On Clevelands Finals Window
The Cavaliers have built a roster that looks expensive now and only gets pricier from here, with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Peyton Watson and Jarrett Allen set to eat up a major share of the cap over the next three seasons. For a team trying to stay in the title mix, that kind of financial commitment changes the conversation quickly. It is no longer just about talent on paper, but about making sure the current core turns into something that can actually get through the East and into the NBA Finals.
Cleveland still has some room to maneuver, but not much, and the clock is already ticking on the window this group is supposed to justify. The front office has assembled a high-cost core with the expectation that it can contend right away, and the pressure only grows as future contract decisions come into view. If the Cavaliers are going to keep this group together and keep adding around it, the payoff has to come sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]