Kenny Atkinson didn’t hide how he feels about the Cavaliers landing Meleek Thomas in the second round. After two Summer League games in Las Vegas, Cleveland’s head coach is still sounding like a man who thinks his team got a major break.
Atkinson was on hand for Cleveland’s Summer League game on Sunday afternoon and jumped on the broadcast to talk about the rookie guard. His reaction to Thomas ending up in Cleveland was simple: “so excited.”
“I just told, Jon [Calapari], ‘we got a steal.’ Maybe every coach comes up here [to Summer League] and says that, but to get him in the second round. Like, like pinching myself,” Atkinson said.
What has stood out most to Atkinson so far is the full package. He pointed to Thomas’ feel for the game, his passing, and the fact that he has yet to turn the ball over in summer play. Atkinson also made it clear the rookie’s shot and competitive edge are already obvious.
“Great feel, hasn't had a turnover yet in the summer. You see, he can pass.
Like, I didn't know he could pass. Obviously he's got the shooting and, elite competitor defensively.”
Thomas has backed up that buzz with production. Through Cleveland’s first two Summer League games, he’s averaging 25 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 43.6 percent from the floor and 40 percent from behind the arc.
Still, the Cavaliers have plenty of scoring in their guard group, which means Thomas will have to carve out his lane another way. Atkinson said the path to minutes starts on defense.
“That's it. That’s how he's gonna get on the floor [defense],” continued Atkinson.
That defensive upside is something Thomas’ college coach at Arkansas had already flagged. Atkinson said the Cavaliers heard the same message from Calipari, who urged them not to overlook that part of Thomas’ game.
“We obviously talk to Cal, right? And Cal said that to us, like, don't underestimate his defense, and he's right.
I mean, he's got good length. And you see that body type?
Like, I think that's a body, there's a lot of potential to improve being in the weight room, being with the NBA performance team.”
For Cleveland, the excitement is obvious. And with Atkinson’s reputation for developing players, the Cavaliers have every reason to think the 19-year-old could grow into something real.
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