NBA teams choose NBL pathway

If Luke Travers' Summer League form is anything to go by, he's got a bright future in the NBA, and more specifically, Cleveland.

In fact, many weren't sure the 21-year-old would even return to Australia, after a hugely impressive performance in Las Vegas earlier this month. 

But it says a lot about the rise of the NBL that the Cavaliers' brainstrust told him to go home, continue doing exactly what he's doing, and that his opportunity would come. 

"The NBL’s just as good (as the G League) so they (the Cavaliers) were happy to keep me over here. The talk is just one more year (in the NBL) and hopefully it’s a good one," Travers told Code.

While Travers could easily have lined up for Cleveland's G-League affiliate, the Charge and been signed on a two-way deal, a return to Melbourne means regular game time in a world-class league. 

His numbers and production have improved in each of the last four seasons, and playing alongside one of the championship favourites gives him another chance to shine. 

“It’s great for the respect of our league, right?” Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman said of the decision for Travers to continue to develop his game in Australia. 

The former Wildcat says he gained great confidence from his efforts at Summer League, where he averaged 7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.2 blocks, helping the Cavs to claim top honours at the tournament. 

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