Smith and Gilyard join Cavs training camp roster

Smith and Gilyard are expected to be a part of the four training camp invitees in camp.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a week away from training camp starting in Bradenton, Florida. Their roster for camp appears to be set. Two additional names have been added to the four reported on Monday evening: Pete Nance, Jules Bernard, Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Gabe Osabuohien.

According to Chris Fedor of cleveland.com, Zhaire Smith and Jacob Gilyard have also agreed on Exhibit 10 contracts that will allow them to participate in the upcoming training camp with Cleveland. The Cavs are only able to have four camp invites on the training camp roster. Fedor has reported that Tomlin and Osabuohien are likely to be waived in the coming days to bring the group down to four. Tomlin and Osabuohien are expected to start the season in the G League with the Cleveland Charge.

This would leave the Cavs entering training camp with the 14 rostered players, their three two ways, and four training camp invites for Smith, Gilyard, Nance, and Bernard.

Smith was drafted 16th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018 but wasn’t able to complete a full season until 2023-24. Smith missed the start of his rookie season with an allergic reaction. His second season was cut short with a bone bruise that kept him out the following three seasons.

Smith was a training camp invite for the Cavs last season and received a 10-day contract last February. The 6’4” guard played 47 games with the Charge averaging 13.3 points and 4.1 rebounds on .539/.394/.836 shooting splits.

Charge general manager Liron Fanan believes that Smith will return to the league in the future.

“Zhaire is an NBA player,” Fanan said. “What he brings with his work ethic, defensively he’s a monster, and he’s a sneaky shooter. I don’t think he’s sneaky anymore because people can see it now.”

Smith’s outside shot and his willingness to take it improved with the Charge last season. Continuing to do so while becoming more comfortable as a ball handler could allow him to break back into the league.

Gilyard has NBA experience. He played 41 games last season at point guard with the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets. Gilyard averaged 4.2 points and 3.3 assists with .400/.405/1.000 shooting splits in 17 minutes per game.

Gilyard will have a chance to prove himself in training camp, but is someone the organization would like to see help in the development of Luke Travers and Emoni Bates with the Charge. Both would benefit from playing with a steady point guard like Gilyard.

“He’s an experienced point guard,” Fanan said. “He’s played real NBA minutes, did really well. We like what he brings. I think he’s going to benefit the Cavs in training camp.”

Cavs media day is Monday, Sept. 30. Training camp opens the next day at IMG Academy in Florida.