We haven’t seen a whole lot of Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Emoni Bates recently, and Brian Windhorst wants that to change.
Speaking to ESPN Cleveland, Windhorst said that Bates has made “huge strides” since his time in the NBA Summer League and looks like a player who understands his role and could be a huge help for the Cavaliers in the future as he continues to progress.
Now the question is if Windhorst will get his wish and the Cavaliers will use him more.
Bates made a splash during the Summer League and some fans expected to see much more of him during the 2023-24 season.
Instead, he has mostly spent his time in the G League, working on his skills and preparing himself for a return to the league.
Because of injuries to the Cavaliers roster, Bates has gotten the chance to play during the last three games.
As Windhorst mentioned, he didn’t light the scoreboard on fire, but he did show some potential, and there is still a chance for him to keep growing.
Bates is six-foot-ten and mostly plays as a forward, using his length as an asset.
He is still lacking a lot of experience and hasn’t mastered his defensive game but he has the energy and he has the drive and the ability to learn and change because of his young age.
He is considered a work in progress for many and they see great things ahead in his future.
Bates will likely continue to bounce between the Cavaliers and the G League for the rest of the season and it’s clear that he wants to keep improving his game and getting better in order to better serve his team.
NEXT: Insider Details What Cavs Need To Retain Donovan Mitchell
