For much of the offseason, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the only team in the NBA without a single player on a two-way contract. Though they extended a two-way qualifying offer to Emoni Bates, nothing is official yet. However, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, this is no longer the case for Cleveland. Charania tweeted that the Cavaliers signed three-year power forward JT Thor to a two-way contract.
Free agent forward JT Thor has agreed on a two-way NBA contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Thor – a 2021 second-round pick to Charlotte – averaged seven points and five rebounds in South Sudan’s games in the Paris Olympics. pic.twitter.com/xue8cW8eM1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 17, 2024
The 22-year-old has spent the first three seasons of his career with the Charlotte Hornets. In that time, he has appeared in 165 games with 11 starts. With Charlotte, Thor averaged 3.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. This includes a career game, ironically against the Cavaliers, to end the 2023-24 season. In a 10-point win, Thor played 41 minutes and scored 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including a 3-for-6 mark from deep. Additionally, he recorded nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three blocks.
More recently, Thor played for South Sudan during the 2024 Paris Olympics. He averaged seven points and five rebounds per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers Sign Olympic Forward to Two-Way Contract
JT Thor is Just the Second New Addition for Cleveland This Offseason
Before signing Thor to a two-way contract, the Cavaliers did not sign a single player all summer. They drafted Jaylon Tyson with the No. 20 pick in this year’s draft, but no other additions were made. However, because they are apparently deciding to run it back does not mean they have not been busy.
This summer, the Cavaliers signed Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen to long-term contract extensions. Additionally, while it has not happened yet, it is expected that Darius Garland will get an extension at some point soon as well.
What’s Next for the Cavaliers After Signing JT Thor?
It will be interesting to see what the Cavaliers front office does for the rest of the summer. They still have a pair of two-way contract spots available, with Bates still being a candidate for one of the openings. Now that they have made their first signing of the summer, this could open up the door for more transactions before the end of the offseason.
There are two additional things we know about the Cavaliers’ plans right now as well. One, the team reportedly still has interest in re-signing free agent Marcus Morris. However, he could make his way to a Western Conference contender at some point this summer. And two, the team will reportedly not bring back former champion Tristan Thompson. Thompson re-joined the Cavaliers after nearly four years away. However, he only played in 49 games, all off the bench. Additionally, he only averaged 8.7 minutes in Cleveland’s 10 playoff games this season.
The Cavaliers are likely not done making moves yet. Additionally, they will aim to head back to the playoffs again for the third consecutive year next season.
