The Cleveland Cavaliers are still trying to figure out what to do with 2022 second-round pick Luke Travers after he was granted a release from his contract with Melbourne United to pursue an opportunity in the NBA, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
Fedor offered some updates on the situation.
“Social media was abuzz with news that the ever-popular Travers — Cleveland’s 56th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft — would be leaving Australian club Melbourne United after being granted release from his contract,” Fedor wrote. “The decision, one sources tell Cleveland.com that Travers made in conjunction with the Cavaliers, allows the 22-year-old Aussie to explore all his options and determine the next step in his professional career.”
Fedor continued.
“Sources say the Cavs are still trying to figure out what to do with Travers,” Fedor wrote. “They are hoping to finalize an agreement that works for both sides, with a two-way contract as the most logical fit, especially considering Cleveland’s current roster makeup.”
An intriguing prospect that has been stashed since the Cavs took him back in 2022, Travers averaged 12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game for Melbourne United during the 2023-24 season.
During the 2022 NBA Draft, Cleveland selected Ochai Agbaji in the first round and Khalifa Diop, Isaiah Mobley and Travers in the second round. Of the three second-round selections, Travers was picked last at No. 56 overall. Diop went at No. 39, and Mobley was picked at No. 49 overall.
The Cavs have shown this offseason that they believe in their current core by extending the contracts of Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. The Cavs are hoping to contend for a top spot in the East and ultimately an NBA title this season after they made the second round of the playoffs last season.
So, it may make sense for Cleveland to sign Travers to a two-way deal instead of using up one of its standard roster spots on a deal for the 22-year-old. While Travers could be a solid developmental piece, it’s hard to see a scenario where the Cavs rely on him to make an impact right away in the 2024-25 season.
Since the Cavs and Travers made the decision together for him to leave Melbourne United, it should help the two sides eventually hammer out a deal.
“You’re trying to get there as soon as possible, and you don’t want to wait around and stuff,” Travers said last month about his NBA future. “I’ve just been trying to put in the work. To make the NBA is always a dream and it’s going to be a goal of mine every year.
“The goal for me is to be a good role player in the NBA. I’m just trying to show that I can do that, whether it’s Summer League, whether it’s in the NBA, it kind of doesn’t matter. I’m going to go out there and do the little things — rebound, push the pace, make the extra pass.”
The Cavs have time to work out a deal with Travers, as the start of the 2024-25 regular season is still several weeks away.
