The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t have a lot of ammunition in the 2023 NBA Draft, holding just the No. 49 pick after sending their first-rounder to the Indiana Pacers. In the end, they didn’t trade up but stood pat at 49, selecting Emoni Bates out of Eastern Michigan.
The Cavaliers brought Bates and a number of other players to Las Vegas for Summer League, and they have been the best team in Vegas thus far. That hasn’t necessarily been because of standout play from Bates, who has averaged a fine 16 points and six rebounds per game, but done so while shooting only 39.