The Cleveland Cavaliers have secured one of their two selections from the 2026 NBA Draft, agreeing to a four-year contract with second-round guard Meleek Thomas. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the No. 34 overall pick signed a $9.3 million deal with the first three seasons fully guaranteed, totaling $6.4 million.
The agreement gives Cleveland long-term cost certainty on a promising young backcourt prospect after acquiring the No. 34 pick from the Sacramento Kings on draft night. Thomas joins a Cavaliers team coming off a 52-30 regular season that finished fourth in the Eastern Conference before reaching the conference finals, where it was swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
Thomas enters the NBA after an impressive freshman campaign at Arkansas. The 19-year-old appeared in all 37 games and averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 30.5 minutes per contest. He shot 43.5% from the field while emerging as one of the better perimeter shooters in the SEC, connecting on 82 of 197 three-point attempts for a 41.6% mark.
His efficiency extended to the free-throw line, where he converted 91 of 108 attempts (84.3%), an encouraging indicator of his long-term shooting projection. Thomas also averaged 1.5 steals per game while committing just 37 turnovers across 1,128 minutes.
Cleveland’s backcourt remains anchored by All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 27.9 points and 5.7 assists during the 2025-26 season, while veteran James Harden contributed 20.5 points and 7.7 assists after joining the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers relied heavily on perimeter shooting last season. Sam Merrill shot 42.1% from three, Jaylon Tyson connected on 44.6% of his attempts, and Max Strus made 40.2% before injuries limited him to just 12 games.
While second-round selections often receive shorter or partially guaranteed contracts, Cleveland committed significant security to Thomas by guaranteeing the first three years of his rookie agreement.
Thomas was selected 34th overall after the Cavaliers used the No. 29 pick in the first round on Alex Karaban.
