The Cavaliers are heading into this season with a lot of turnover in their reserve group, and that opens the door for Nae’Qwan Tomlin in a big way.
Tomlin was the kind of pickup that didn’t come with much buzz when Cleveland took a chance on him during the 2025 season. He hadn’t played basketball in high school, and even after a solid college run, he was still viewed as a longshot to make real noise at the NBA level.
But doubt has followed him before, and he’s leaned into it. Over the last couple seasons, that edge has shown up in the way he plays: nonstop energy, a willingness to do the dirty work, and a motor that never seems to quit.
He got his first real opportunity last year when injuries forced him into the rotation, and he made it count. Tomlin didn’t quite earn a playoff role, but he did enough to prove he belonged. Now the path is clearer for him to take another step.
That path matters more now because Cleveland’s bench is going to look different. Keon Ellis, Max Strus, Dennis Schroder, and Dean Wade are all gone, and the Cavaliers are going to be counting on younger players to absorb real minutes. Tomlin is right in the middle of that group, and the chance in front of him is a meaningful one.
Last season, the numbers were modest - five points and three rebounds per game - but they don’t tell the whole story. Tomlin’s impact was in the activity around him. He was constantly in the play on both ends, and every time he went up for a dunk, it looked like he was trying to rip the rim down.
He also didn’t back away from defensive work. Tomlin has enough quickness to handle perimeter assignments and enough strength to hold his own inside. He was a steady presence for rebounds and blocks, using his athleticism to stay involved.
The concern has been his shooting. Tomlin hit under 25 percent from three, and at times defenders simply ignored him on the perimeter. That’s not an option for a Cavaliers team that needs space for Donovan Mitchell and James Harden to operate.
There are signs that part of his game may be moving in the right direction. Tomlin has reportedly spent a lot of time working on his jumper this offseason, and his shot looked better in summer league. The question now is whether that progress carries over when the games count.
If it does, Tomlin has the kind of skill set that fits Cleveland’s needs as a backup power forward. The opportunity is there, the role is there, and the Cavaliers need him to deliver in a bench spot that could matter a lot this season.
In Other News...
Cavs Pipeline Added A Guard Worth Watching Closely
The Cavaliers development pipeline picked up another intriguing backcourt piece this week when the Cleveland Charge landed guard Kadary Richmond in a four-team trade that also sent Malaki Branham to the Osceola Magic. Richmond has already gotten a small taste of the NBA this season with the Washington Wizards, but most of his work came with the Capital City Go-Go, where he showed a well-rounded game as a lead guard and kept himself on the radar.
For Cleveland, the move is about more than just adding depth. Richmond gives the Charge another guard worth evaluating in a system that has become an important part of the organizations bigger picture, and the deal also brought back a 2027 first-round G-League draft pick. The real question now is how quickly Richmond can carve out a role and turn a fresh opportunity into something that matters for the Cavs long-term guard inventory. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Broadcast News Leaves One Franchise Voice In Question
The Cavaliers new multi-year broadcast agreement with DAZN brings a fresh look to how fans will follow the team, and the club made sure to identify the on-air personalities set to be part of the arrangement. It is a notable shift for a franchise that has long treated its television and game-day voices as part of the teams identity, especially with a familiar cast expected to carry the new setup forward.
Austin Carrs name, though, was absent from the announcement, leaving one of the most recognizable figures in Cavaliers broadcast history in an uncertain spot. Carr has been a longtime franchise voice, and with no official statement clarifying any change, his role in the new era remains unresolved for now. [Read more 🡒]
Former Cavs Big Man Is Getting One More NBA Chance
The 76ers have brought Tacko Fall back into the NBA mix ahead of the new season, giving the towering center another chance to stick at the highest level. Fall spent the 2021-22 season with the Cavaliers, and since then he has continued his career overseas while waiting for another door to open in the league.
At 7-foot-6, Fall remains one of the most recognizable big men in basketball, with his size and shot-blocking still the traits that keep him in the conversation. Philadelphia is now the latest team willing to take a look, and for a player who has bounced between opportunities, the challenge is the same as ever: turn a fresh signing into a roster spot. [Read more 🡒]