The Cavaliers waived forward Pete Nance and guard Jules Bernard, according to a team press release. Cleveland also formally announced the previously reported Zhaire Smith and Jacob Gilyard cuts.
Nance spent most of last season in the G League with the Cleveland Charge before signing a two-way contract with the team in February. He only played in eight NBA games with limited minutes, but he averaged 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 blocks while making 35.8% of his three-point attempts.
The five-year college player spent time at Northwestern before transferring to UNC for his final season. He then went undrafted in 2023. Nance, the younger brother of Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr., wasn’t kept on a two-way deal this season but is expected to once again suit up for Cleveland’s G League affiliate.
Like Nance, Bernard began his career in the G League. The UCLA product played four years collegiately before going undrafted in 2022. He suited up for Washington’s G League affiliate the past two seasons before agreeing to a two-way deal with the Wizards in December of last year.
Bernard played a bit at the NBA level, getting into 19 games and averaging 3.9 PPG. He played more in the G League, averaging 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 35.9% from three. The Wizards opted not to bring him back, leading to him catching on with the Cavs for training camp.
Both players are eligible for a bonus worth $77.5K if they spend at least 60 days with Cleveland’s G League team, the Charge.
The Cavaliers’ roster now stands at 17 players, with 14 on standard deals and three on two-way contracts.