**Cavs Waive Luke Travers After Struggles with Transition from NBL to NBA**
Key Takeaways:
- The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived two-way player Luke Travers, a former 2022 second-round draft pick.
- Travers struggled offensively despite strong rebounding and team defense skills in the G League.
- The move comes amid a broader roster reshuffle that includes multiple trades and new two-way contract signings.
Cleveland, OH — Australian forward Luke Travers, selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 56th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has been waived by the team as part of a recent wave of roster changes. The news broke late on Saturday, February 1, 2026, reported by ESPN’s Olgun Uluc, marking the latest move in Cleveland’s ongoing reconfiguration of its two-way contracts and developmental strategy.
Travers Out as Cavs Refocus on Developmental Prospects
The Cavaliers officially waived Luke Travers, who had been on a two-way deal with the team since August 2024. Travers, 22, has spent most of his NBA tenure with the Cleveland Charge, the team’s G League affiliate. Despite posting solid all-around stats this season — 18.1 points, 9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 14 games — his poor perimeter shooting and limited offensive versatility hindered his potential fit with the Cavaliers’ main rotation.
He shot just 28.4% from three-point range this season and 26.2% in 2024–25, numbers far below league average. These offensive limitations made it difficult for Cleveland to justify a longer-term investment, especially as the team retools around other two-way players like Emmanuel Miller and newly signed Tristan Enaruna.
Draft Journey and Unfulfilled NBA Potential
The Cavaliers drafted Travers late in the second round in 2022, immediately leaving him to further develop in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) for two seasons. Travers played for the Perth Wildcats, where he was praised for his court vision, size, and defense. The Cavs eventually brought him over in hopes he could evolve into a reliable 3-and-D wing at the NBA level.
However, while Travers impressed defensively and on the boards, his inability to stretch the floor and create his own shot limited his NBA impact. In two seasons, he appeared in just 24 games for the Cavaliers — mostly in low-leverage minutes — accumulating only 191 total minutes.
Shifting Gears with a Revamped Development Plan
Travers’ release is part of a larger shake-up for the Cavaliers. Just days earlier, Cleveland executed a trade sending De’Andre Hunter to Sacramento in exchange for Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis, and Emmanuel Miller. The latter, another two-way contract player, is expected to take Travers’ spot on the developmental roster.
Miller, who previously played for the Windy City Bulls, averaged 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds with solid shooting splits (.529 field goal, .354 from three). Meanwhile, Enaruna and Nae’Qwan Tomlin fill out the Cavaliers’ current pool of two-way players. Notably, Tomlin is nearing the limit of NBA eligibility under his existing deal and is a likely candidate for a standard contract conversion soon.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Travers and the Cavs
For Travers, the NBA future remains uncertain. He could return to Australia or explore other international opportunities given his strong G League and NBL experience. With further improvement in his shooting, a second NBA opportunity remains possible.
For the Cavaliers, the decision to part ways with Travers reflects a deliberate shift toward players who fit more fluidly into modern NBA offenses. The team appears focused on developing two-way contributors who can shoot, defend, and adapt quickly to top-level play.
This change reflects a pragmatic approach by Cleveland’s front office as they work to build depth around young stars and remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is luke travers trending?
A: Luke Travers is trending because the Cleveland Cavaliers waived him on February 1, 2026, ending his stint as a two-way player.
Q: What happens next?
A: Travers could return to the NBL or explore overseas options. The Cavaliers will now evaluate new two-way players like Emmanuel Miller in his place.
#LukeTravers
