February 20: Tomlin’s 10-day deal is official, the Cavaliers confirmed in a press release.
February 19: The Cavaliers have agreed to sign G League forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin to a 10-day contract, league sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).
As we outlined on Tuesday, Cleveland has been carrying 13 players on standard contracts since the trade deadline on February 6. Teams are permitted to carry fewer than 14 players on their standard rosters for no more than two weeks at a time, so the Cavs need to add a 14th man by Thursday. It appears Tomlin will be that 14th man.
A 6’10” rookie, Tomlin went undrafted last June after finishing his college career at Memphis. He signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Cavs last September, which allowed the club to gain his G League rights.
Tomlin has subsequently spent the 2024/25 season with the Cleveland Charge, appearing in 35 total Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games for the Cavaliers’ NBAGL affiliate. The 24-year-old has averaged 15.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 28.6 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .545/.362/.614.
As Scotto notes, Tomlin has been especially effective in recent weeks, scoring over 20 points in six of his past seven games, including a 37-point outburst vs. the Westchester Knicks on Feb. 7.
Tomlin will earn $66,503 on his 10-day contract with Cleveland, which will cover the club’s next five games. It’s unlikely that he’ll see much – if any – action for the Cavs, but he’ll be available if needed as a depth piece in the frontcourt.
After Tomlin’s 10-day deal expires, the Cavs would have the ability to carry fewer than 14 players for up to two more weeks before having to stay at 14 (or 15) for the remainder of the season, since teams aren’t permitted to drop below that roster minimum for more than 28 total days.
He is a PF who can shoot. He has good scoring to minute numbers in college. Just a older rookie
He’s rather slender for a 4, at best he would be like a poor man’s Cam Johnson.
As noted, he won’t see much action the next ten days, & then the Cavs will have another 14 as they wait for any other buyouts.
He has the height to be a four. I honestly knew him but didn’t notice the weight. You are right he needs to add weight or muscle.
Cam Johnson in any other era in basketball history would never ever be a PF. He is a tweener, overated and has a horrible contract
Cam is a SF
He is basically getting rewarded for his hard work. Now hit the wight room, Tomlin.