CLEVELAND, Ohio — In a season where the Cavs’ championship aspirations hinge on star power and established veterans, it’s an undrafted two-way player who’s suddenly becoming indispensable.
The latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast with Chris Fedor and Ethan Sands dives deep into the Nae’Qwan Tomlin phenomenon that’s taking Cleveland by storm.
Tomlin’s impact during the Cavs’ recent loss to Toronto was impossible to ignore, with the energetic forward playing a substantial 32 minutes and making his presence felt on both ends.
Perhaps most telling was Kenny Atkinson’s effusive praise, which Fedor shared on the podcast:
“I can’t take him off the floor. It’s like you want him on the floor because he can defend his position. He’s got great energy, he’s flying ... I’m just pinching myself because that guy’s going to help us. It feels like he’s going to help us win some big games. I feel like he really belongs, he fits with these guys.”
That level of endorsement from a head coach about a two-way contract player is rare, and it’s raising significant questions about Tomlin’s future with the organization.
The Cavaliers have traditionally kept their 15th roster spot open for late-season buyout acquisitions, but Tomlin’s emergence might force a strategy shift.
“I think the Cavs should probably make the decision on whether or not they’re going to add him to the 15th roster spot before the trade deadline closes,” argued Sands.
The timing is particularly important because, as currently structured, Tomlin’s two-way contract makes him ineligible for playoff participation.
For a team with championship aspirations, leaving such an energetic defender on the sidelines during the postseason could prove costly.
Fedor agreed with the difficult position the front office now faces: “I think he’s going to make this front office have a really difficult decision on what they’re going to do in terms of his contract. And they’re probably just going to end up saying to themselves, hey, like, nobody else out there can give us more than what this guy potentially could.”
What makes Tomlin so special isn’t just his athletic ability but the competitive edge he brings.
Sands observed during the podcast that Tomlin had Raptors star Scottie Barnes “arguing with the refs about calls during the game,” demonstrating the mental advantage Tomlin provides by getting under opponents’ skin.
“This level of ‘I will do what I have to do’ is a different level than I feel like we’ve seen in the past,” Sands noted.
For a Cavaliers team that has sometimes lacked edge in playoff settings, Tomlin’s willingness to “throw some bows if need be” could prove invaluable in postseason basketball’s physical environment.
As the trade deadline approaches, Tomlin’s continued strong play will only intensify the conversation around his contract status. If you want to hear the complete breakdown of the Nae’Qwan Tomlin situation and what it means for the Cavs’ roster construction, don’t miss the full Wine & Gold Talk podcast episode.
Here’s the podcast for this week: