Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff thinks that rookie Emoni Bates would easily have been in the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year conversation if he were a lottery pick (averaging 12.7 PPG/3.0 RPG/51.9% FG/45.0% 3-PT/100% FT through three preseason games).
(via Cleveland Cavaliers):
Reporter: “Did you know when you guys drafted Emoni that he was this kind of shooter?”
Bickerstaff: “Yeah. We are extremely fortunate that Emoni was there at 46 (actually drafted 49th). I believe that Emoni is fortunate to be here also because I think the pairing works. And I think for his development and his advancement over his career; being here works. But I also believe if Emoni would have gone in the lottery; he’d have been the type of player who’d have been in the Rookie of the Year conversation. But again, we are extremely fortunate that he’s here with us, and look forward to working with him for a long time.”
