CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cavs forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin is getting rewarded.

Sources tell cleveland.com the Cavs have signed Tomlin to a two-year contract worth about $3 million guaranteed, converting his previous two-way contract into a standard deal.

It’s the most the Cavs were able to offer Tomlin — both in years and money — given their current salary cap situation, sources say.

The move was not unexpected.

Cleveland purposely cleared a roster spot last week by trading struggling reserve guard Lonzo Ball to Utah in what was essentially a salary dump.

That 15th spot now belongs to Tomlin.

He earned it, gaining the trust of teammates, coaches and decision-makers with non-stop hustle, energy, rapid development and an unexpected nightly impact.

Cleveland now has an open two-way slot it will look to fill in the near future.

Tomlin, 25, is in his second season with the Cavs. Monday against Denver was his 50th game on the active roster, the maximum number allowed for any player on a two-way contract. This new deal makes him eligible for the final 28 games — and the playoffs.

In Monday’s come-from-behind win over the Nuggets, his final night on a two-way, Tomlin logged 13 minutes, scored six points, grabbed one rebound and recorded a block.

On the season, the bouncy 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 17.1 minutes, becoming a fixture of the every-night lineup while seeing his role increase dramatically.

“With these moves, we’ll be able to convert Nae’Qwan, which is an incredible story,” Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said during his post-trade deadline press conference on Thursday. “… where he came from and just the rare feat that he’s accomplished. When he does get converted, I would love for all you guys to congratulate him. It’s just remarkable. Not only is he getting converted, but he’s playing real minutes and he’s helping us.

“He’s been a revelation.“

The two‑year route offers subtle but meaningful fiscal advantages.

Tomlin’s cap hit this season will likely land around $700,000. Next season’s salary is set to be roughly $2.1 million, calculated as a 5% raise off this year’s minimum.

Locking Tomlin in now could save Cleveland approximately $300,000 in 2026-27. As a current second apron team, every dollar matters.

But Tuesday’s deal wasn’t so much about salary cap gymnastics. It was compensation — even a necessity considering the way Tomlin has played. With it, he becomes the organization’s latest developmental success story, going from just five years of organized basketball to undrafted afterthought, to G League star, to rotational mainstay, to now full-time NBA player.

And for Tomlin, this unique journey is still just getting started.