Travers to Test Free Agency Market?

Should the Cleveland Cavaliers elect to not exercise their draft rights on Luke Travers next season, the young star would hit the NBL Free Agency market as one of the most sought-after talents in the NBL.

The 21-yeard-old Travers, who was selected by the Cavaliers with the 56^th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, experienced a career year at the Wildcats in NBL23 and benefitted as the team’s sixth man in John Rillie’s shortened rotation.

Across his 27 regular season games, he averaged 9.8 points per game on 50 per cent shooting and 40.5 per cent from three, 5.6 rebounds, three assists, 0.7 steals and one block per game – all of which were career-highs.

Former NBL MVP Derek Rucker, who played for three different NBL teams across his career, believes Travers would be doing himself a disservice if he doesn’t look at all options.

“I think every player – especially if there’s demand for their services – should go out and experience that free agent market,” Rucker said on The Marketplace.

“I think I did it once and I really enjoyed it until it was time to make a decision, that can be very tough, and that can be very trying, especially when you have good teams vying for your services and very influential coaches.

“I think Travers should stay in Perth, I think John Rillie was starting to find a means to use him effectively, and according to John – I had conversations with him – he thinks Mike Kelly is doing a very good job in developing Luke’s jump shot which was really good from deep late in the season.”

A key decision surrounding the Perth Wildcats in Free Agency will be the potential re-signing of both Corey and Tai Webster, with the Tall Blacks internationals both possessing mutual extension options in their contracts.

Corey – who joined the Wildcats from the start of the season – featured in 27 regular season games for the Wildcats, and averaged 14.3 points, three rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

Tai joined the club mid-season from Turkish club Petkim Spor and played just eight times for Perth in NBL23 – including appearing in just one of the side’s two post-season games.

Rucker believes the Wildcats should make a tough decision. 

“I’ve made no bones about my feelings for the Webster brothers,” Rucker said. “I love them as players, both are super creative and talented, but I don’t think they’re good on the same team.

“I would have to make a decision – one or the other. I’d probably lean towards Corey out of the goodness of my heart [because] I think it’s easier for Tai to find a spot in this competition, and I think I would roll with Corey to play with Bryce [Cotton] and whomever else you decide to put in the backcourt with those guys.”

NBL Free Agency officially opens on March 30, two weeks after the conclusion of the NBL23 Championship Series between Sydney and New Zealand.