The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a pivotal decision regarding forward Isaiah Mobley by opting not to extend a qualifying offer to him, as reported by Sam Amico of Hoops Wire.
Despite this, there remains a possibility for Mobley to rejoin the Cavaliers or their G League affiliate, the Canton Charge, although he is now free to explore opportunities with other teams. Mobley has spent the last two seasons on two-way contracts with the Cavaliers.
One reason for this decision could be the Cavaliers’ intention to open up a two-way contract slot to develop a younger player, given that Mobley is now 24 years old.
Mobley was selected by the Cavaliers with the 49th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft after playing college basketball at the University of Southern California (USC). During his three seasons with the Trojans, he averaged 10.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game, with shooting percentages of 46.0% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc. His most notable season was 2021-22, where he averaged 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
In his tenure with Cleveland, Mobley had limited playing time, featuring in 22 games across two seasons and averaging 2.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game. He also spent considerable time in the G League honing his skills, and there is a possibility that another team might offer him a two-way contract this offseason.
Isaiah Mobley is notably the brother of Cavaliers’ star Evan Mobley, which adds a familial dimension to his association with the team. While keeping the brothers together might have been a consideration to please Evan Mobley, the need to adjust the roster has likely influenced the decision regarding Isaiah.
The Cavaliers are focused on strengthening their roster, especially after guard Donovan Mitchell committed to the franchise by signing an extension this offseason. Following consecutive playoff appearances, the team aims for a deeper playoff run in the 2024-25 season. Last season, they were eliminated in the second round by the Boston Celtics.
The next steps in Isaiah Mobley’s professional basketball journey will be intriguing to follow as he navigates his career options.
