Shaq Calls Out Cavs’ GM For Questionable Decision

A couple of years ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers took a flier on Emoni Bates.

He was once considered to be the second coming of Kevin Durant, and his videos of getting buckets and making a fool of defenders went viral on social media.

Unfortunately, some questionable decisions and struggles in college took a big toll on his draft stock, with some teams questioning whether he carried himself seriously enough to be a star at the next level.

The Cavs sent him to the G-League and gave him limited action as a rookie, and he looked like he belonged in the league.

With that in mind, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal called out the Cavs’ front office for not giving him more of a chance.

Talking on “The Big Podcast,” the four-time NBA champion claimed that Bates could play, and he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t on the court more often:

“To the Cleveland Cavaliers general manager, what the f—k are you doing? Why is Emoni Bates in the f—ing G-League? What the f—k is going on? This [guy] can play. The last game you put him in, he had what? Seven threes? Don’t you think you need that for a championship? Whoever you are, general manager for Cleveland, what the f—k are you doing? That [guy] can play, man. If I’m a coach, I want all the scorers I can. He’s been in the G-League for what? Two years?” O’Neal said.

To the Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager,

What the f**k are you doing? pic.twitter.com/Hbf8MNPRPa

— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) June 8, 2025

Bates dealt with an injury this season, but the Cavs could’ve still used another bucket-getting weapon down the stretch.

Even so, it’s not like Kenny Atkinson had a shortage of options.

The Cavs ran a deep rotation, and it was tough to get minutes for everybody, with young players like Craig Porter Jr. and Jaylon Tyson also struggling to get to the floor.

Granted, Bates is a special kind of talent, and he’s the kind of guy who can go berserk in the blink of an eye.

Then again, perhaps the Cavs aren’t fully sold on his redemption just yet, and they want to see more of him before trusting him to embrace a bigger role.