The Cleveland Cavaliers just wrapped up the most impressive Summer League in their history at the event. They went 6-0, winning games by an average of 13 points per contest. They drubbed the Houston Rockets in the title game, never trailing in a 99-78 victory, to secure the championship trophy.
The Cavs were well-represented in the individual honors too. Sam Merrill made the “NBA 2K24 All-Summer League First Team” and Emoni Bates made the Second Team. Isaiah Mobley was dominant in both playoff games to secure the Championship Game MVP. As a group, they shut down Summer League MVP Cam Whitmore in the title game.
Unlike most teams in Las Vegas, the Cavaliers didn’t trot out lottery prospects or even first-round picks. The only player on their roster who played in Las Vegas was Sam Merrill; the rest were on two-way contracts (Mobley, Bates and Craig Porter Jr.) or hoping to earn a spot on the team. Yet they ended up winning it all.
What did we learn about the Cavaliers’ Summer League players?
The evaluations on the Cavs’ Summer League Team is all the more impactful for not having any secure roster players. Every player of note on the team was playing for their career, and how they played will directly impact whether they have a roster spot of any kind heading into next season.
Who improved their chances in Las Vegas? Who stumbled in the desert? Let’s play “Stock Up or Stock Down” with every meaningful player on the roster. Can any of these players move into the rotation next season? Who will get cut? Let’s take a look.