Luke Travers, the former second-round selection of the Cleveland Cavaliers, has inked a two-year contract with Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League. The 56th-overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft had already spent a brief stint in the NBL before the Cavaliers selected him, giving him familiarity with the Australian league and its style of play.
Travers appeared in 24 games for Cleveland between 2024 and 2026, averaging 1.7 points and 1.8 rebounds per contest. He was released on February 1, 2026, after the Cavs completed a three-team deal that brought Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder to Cleveland from the Sacramento Kings. The move cleared a roster spot and signaled the organization’s intent to add proven NBA talent as it builds toward another deep playoff run.
Before his NBA tenure, Travers built a winning résumé in the NBL. He helped the Perth Wildcats capture the league championship in 2020 and added the 2021 NBL Cup to his collection. He then returned to Australia for the 2023-24 season, suiting up for Melbourne United and appearing in the Grand Final series against the Tasmania JackJumpers in March 2024. Those experiences gave him a taste of championship-level basketball that the Cavaliers could not provide in a limited role.
Speaking to Melbourne United media, Travers said, “I’m obviously super excited to get another shot at winning a championship with United. I’m coming into a group with a lot of really skilled, versatile players and veteran experience. I think the sky is the limit.” He added that head coach Jacob Chance outlined a role that emphasizes rebounding, transition pushes, and a “rolling five-man” approach, allowing Travers to exploit his versatility on both ends of the floor.
The decision reflects a pragmatic assessment of career trajectory. After a short summer league stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, Travers opted to forgo another marginal NBA opportunity in favor of a starring role in a league where he can develop his game and contend for titles. For Cleveland, the clearance of a roster spot and the acquisition of Ellis and Schröder underscore a shift toward immediate impact players as the club seeks to replicate its recent Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
Travers’ move highlights the growing appeal of the NBL as a legitimate alternative for young talent seeking meaningful minutes and a chance to win. His two-year deal provides stability and positions him as a key contributor for Melbourne United, while the Cavs continue to refine a roster capable of challenging for the Eastern Conference crown.
