Cleveland Cavaliers Sign Darius Brown II
CLEVELAND, OH – In a significant move to bolster their roster, the Cleveland Cavaliers have announced the signing of Darius Brown II to a two-way contract. This agreement comes on the heels of the team’s decision to release Emanuel Miller, a forward they had recently acquired through a trade involving the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings.
Brown’s Impressive G League Performance
Darius Brown II, who went undrafted following his time at Utah State in 2024, has been showcasing his talent in the G League with impressive stats including an average of 12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 9.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. Notably, on January 9, Brown achieved a remarkable feat by recording 22 assists in a single game against the Texas Legends, just one assist shy of the G League record of 23.
His performance has placed him among the top players in the league, where he ranks third in assists per game and boasts a commendable three-point shooting percentage of 40%.
Strategic Roster Adjustments
This signing is part of broader adjustments the Cavaliers have been making within their roster. The recent salary-cap maneuver involving Lonzo Ball has allowed the team to create space to sign Nae’Qwan Tomlin, a teammate of Brown’s from the Cleveland Charge, to a standard NBA contract. Additionally, the Cavs waved Luke Travers as part of their strategic reshuffling around the trade deadline, leading to the opening of a spot that is now secured by Brown.
The G League’s Growing Importance
The trend of acquiring talent via two-way contracts has proven fruitful, with players such as Tomlin, along with successful G League alumni like Pat Spencer (Golden State), Daniss Jenkins (Detroit), and Dom Barlow (Philadelphia) establishing prominent roles in the NBA. Once perceived as just a secondary route to the league, the G League is now increasingly recognized as a viable pathway for athletes aspiring to showcase their skills at the highest level.
Looking Ahead
As the Cavaliers continue to refine their roster ahead of the playoffs, the addition of Darius Brown II could prove pivotal in their pursuit of success this season.
