Though being selected at pick No. 49 in the 2022 NBA Draft typically means a player will rarely, if ever, see real minutes in the NBA, the Cavaliers may have found valuable rotational players at the 49th selection two years in a row. Alongside Sam Merrill, both Isaiah Mobley and Emoni Bates were the best players for Cleveland throughout 2023 Las Vegas Summer League.
Summer League is not a definitive example of a player’s talent, but it is the best opportunity front offices have to discover gems hidden in the late second round. Counting stats are only numbers, but game-by-game improvement and mental attitude are worthy examples of a player’s potential in the NBA.