Luke Travers has placed the most aggressive of timelines on his goal to make the NBA, saying he wants to land in the Association “ASAP”.
The Melbourne United star is preparing to defend the Summer League championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who drafted Travers in 2022.
The 22-year-old remains on the radar of the Cavs, who keep constant tabs on him throughout the NBL season.
Summer League is the place where Travers has the chance to showcase his abilities in front of the entire NBA community and he is hoping another strong effort in Las Vegas can help him land in Cleveland permanently.
“It’s ASAP,” Travers said of his NBA timeline.
“You’re trying to get there as soon as possible, and you don’t want to wait around.
“The goal for me is to be a good role player in the NBA and I’m trying to show I can do that.
“Whether it’s Summer League, whether it’s in the NBA, it kinda doesn’t matter, I’m going to go out there and do the little things, rebound, push the pace, make the extra pass.”
Travers added the Cavaliers are in contact with him “quite a bit” during the NBL season, with Cleveland GM Mike Gansey making several trips to Australia.
“They’re always trying to help me in any way they can and give me feedback here and there,” Travers said.
“Mike has made a couple of trips out there which I don’t think he minds doing. It’s been really cool to have that interaction.”
Travers is coming off a strong campaign in Melbourne, where he played a crucial role in helping the side come one win away from winning the title.
He is hoping he can carry that confidence and form into the Summer League, believing the added space the NBA court provides enables him to get the best out of his skillset.
In order to make the next step, Travers is well aware of what needs to improve – his shooting.
During his final season with the Wildcats in 2022/23, Travers connected on an impressive 40.5 percent of his three-pointers, averaging 2.9 attempts from range a game.
Last season that percentage dipped to 32.7 percent from 2.1 attempts, with Travers putting a premium on getting better in that area.
“It’s just about reps. That comes with age and putting in the work which I do every year,” he said.
“Coming over here it is a whole new system, there’s so many coaches to help you out at any point. That’s the thing I most look forward to.
“Maturing as a person, my body, and also the shooting obviously as well, which has come a long way. Little things like that is definitely going to help me get to the next level.”
Cleveland’s Summer League campaign begins on Saturday July 13 against the Orlando Magic.