Cavs sign Nae’Qwan Tomlin to two-year deal, fill open roster spot

The Cavaliers are keeping Nae’Qwan Tomlin right where he’s been earning it.

Cleveland is promoting Tomlin from his two-way deal to a standard contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, with agent Aaron Turner telling ESPN that the 25-year-old forward has agreed to a two-year, minimum-salary deal that’s fully guaranteed through next season.

This one was always coming.

Tomlin hit the NBA’s 50-game active limit for two-way players Monday night, meaning the Cavs either had to shut him down or lock him in. They chose the latter, and frankly, it’s been overdue.

Tomlin has gone from long-shot project to nightly contributor. Through 43 appearances this season, he’s averaging 6.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 17.1 minutes, giving Cleveland energy, defensive versatility, and real frontcourt depth during a year that’s demanded it.

The road here wasn’t exactly straight.

Tomlin played for four different colleges from 2019-24, went undrafted out of Memphis, and spent last season bouncing between the Cleveland Charge and a pair of short NBA stints.

He signed a 10-day with the Cavs in February of last year, earned a two-way deal in March, and quietly kept working.

Now he’s part of the rotation on a team chasing something real.

Because Cleveland is operating over the second tax apron, the Cavs were limited in what they could offer. No raises. No extra years. Just the minimum and no longer than two seasons.

By fully guaranteeing both years, they essentially made Tomlin their best possible offer under the rules.

If the promotion becomes official ahead of Wednesday’s game against Washington, Tomlin will earn roughly $718,000 the rest of this season and just over $2.4 million in 2026-27.

Cleveland had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move is needed.

More than anything, this feels like a reward for trust earned. Tomlin didn’t ask for minutes. He took them.

And now, he’s staying.