Cleveland boosts forward depth with latest signing

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed Riley Minnix to a two-way contract, the team officially announced on Saturday. He is the 18th and last member of the wine and gold list, increasing the Cavs’ forward depth as he continues his momentum in the G League.

Minik has played 12 games for the Cleveland Charge, averaging 19.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals in over 31 minutes per contest. He’s shooting a blistering 55.6% from the field, including 45.7% from long range on nearly six attempts on the night. On Jan. 13, the Cavs’ G League affiliate acquired Minix from the Austin Spurs in a three-team trade with the Westchester Knicks. Cleveland also gave up its 2027 first- and second-round picks in the deal.

Prior to joining the Charge, the 25-year-old spent the last two and a half seasons in the San Antonio organization. Beginning his career undrafted out of Morehead State, with four previous years at Southeastern of the NAIA, Minix’s performance in the 2024 NBA Summer League earned him an Exhibit 10 contract and an invitation to training camp. The Spurs turned his initial terms into a two-way deal that fall.

Minix appeared in just one regular-season NBA game for San Antonio in early November 2024. He had a solid campaign with Austin, but it was cut short by a torn left labrum that required surgery. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound swingman is back again for his second summer with the franchise and once again spent the preseason with the Spurs on a new two-way contract.

On November 2 against the Phoenix Suns, Minick scored a career-high 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting in four and a half minutes of floor time. He played 11 games during the Showcase Cup portion of the G League season before Cleveland called to make a move. He averaged 15.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and a steal in over 33 minutes per game with Austin.

Minix joined Tristan Enaruna and Emmanuel Miller as Cavs third two-way player. Since being acquired by the Charge, he has had multiple 20-point outings, including 27 points on 6-of-10 shooting from long range in a win over the Raptors 905 two nights ago.

His teammate Norchad Omier was just named the G League Player of the Week and will represent the team in the next NBA G League game on Sunday. Cleveland coach Eli Kell-Abrams is heading into the back half of the season.