The Cleveland Cavaliers have officially waived Australian forward Luke Travers following a significant three-team trade that took place on Sunday. This trade involved the Cavaliers sending star player De’Andre Hunter, valued at $130 million, to the Sacramento Kings ahead of the approaching February 5 trade deadline.
In return, the Cavaliers acquired experienced German guard Dennis Schroder along with 26-year-old shooting guard Keon Ellis. This strategic move is set to enhance Cleveland’s backcourt, allowing them to save money while also integrating essential defensive assets to bolster their roster for the upcoming playoff season.
As part of this roster reshuffling, the Cavaliers had to cut a player, which resulted in the decision to waive Travers. The 24-year-old Australian was previously on a two-way contract with the Cavs, primarily spending his time with their G-League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge.
Travers was originally selected by the Cavaliers with the 56th pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Although he demonstrated his capabilities at the G-League level, where he averaged an impressive 18.1 points, nine rebounds, and five assists this season, his opportunities in the NBA were limited. He played a total of 16 games for Cleveland during the 2024-2025 season and matched that number in the current season, with his latest appearance on December 20 against the Bulls.
Despite his release from the Cavaliers, Travers’ skill set is still notable, and he may be in contention for the Australian Boomers’ squad for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, having previously represented Australia during World Cup qualification games in 2022. This ongoing commitment to his national team indicates a promising future ahead for Travers in international basketball.