The Cleveland Cavaliers wanted Meleek Thomas. They just didn’t want to pay first-round prices for him.
That much became clear on draft night when the Cavs traded the No. 29 pick to the Sacramento Kings. The deal gave Cleveland the No. 34 pick in the second round, and with it they grabbed Thomas, the Arkansas guard who spent one season under John Calipari.
NBA insider Jake Fischer posted on X that Thomas would have been Cleveland’s pick at No. 29 if they hadn’t made the trade. The Cavs essentially got the same player later in the draft, which is a smart move financially. Second-round picks can sign two-way contracts. Those don’t count against the salary cap. For a team paying James Harden and Donovan Mitchell max money, that matters.
A Guard Who Fits What Cleveland Wants
Thomas is 6-foot-5 with the kind of size teams look for in a modern combo guard. He’s not a finished product but he’s got tools to work with. Playing alongside first-round pick Darius Acuff Jr. at Arkansas, Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
The number that jumps out is his three-point shooting. Thomas shot 41.6 percent from deep on 5.3 attempts per game over 37 games. That’s not a fluke hot streak. That’s real range with volume. In a backcourt where Harden and Mitchell draw defensive attention, a shooter like Thomas should find open looks.
The Kings took Acuff in the first round. The Cavs got his teammate for less money and a lower pick. That’s the kind of move front offices pat themselves on the back for, at least until the guy plays his first NBA game.
Cleveland’s roster is built to win now. Harden and Mitchell are stars. The supporting cast is solid. Thomas can develop without pressure, learn from veterans, and maybe carve out rotation minutes by the time the playoffs roll around. Or he can spend the year on assignment in the G League. Either way, the Cavs aren’t on the hook for guaranteed first-round money.
They got the player they wanted. They just didn’t pay the price everyone expected.
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