The problem is that the Cavs will likely decide they need a stronger, more reliable glue for when it matters and give him some time to become that, away from the NBA.Īs impressive as Travers’ rise to being an NBA draftee has been, I expect to see him back at the Perth Wildcats next NBL season.Īnstey is tipping Luke Travers to be back with the Wildcats next season. Travers has been a no-fuss ‘glue guy’ for the Cavaliers’ Summer League team and his volume of minutes allowed every team the opportunity to form strong opinions on him. Travers is a good athlete, but so is everyone fighting for an NBA contract. The biggest concern on Travers was his poor three-point shooting something he attempted to address in his last game, making two of his tournament-high six attempts on his way to 12 points. His relaxed demeanour was discussed as a positive in a few teams’ eyes his inconsistency around impacting every contest and a propensity to float had his name crossed off by others, who questioned his desire to compete consistently at the highest level. Outside Josh Giddey, Travers has logged more minutes than any other Aussie, starting for the Cleveland Cavaliers and averaging more than 23 minutes a contest. Picture: Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images Luke Travers He will be offered an Exhibit 10 contract by any number of teams and have a decision to make: being under the noses of an NBA team playing in their affiliate G-League team, or returning to refine his game further in the NBL.Įither way, I expect to see Makur Maker in the NBA soon.Įxpect to see Makur Maker in the NBA soon. Maker also showed the confidence to take and make his three-point shot, adding to his growing appeal.Īlthough undrafted this year, Maker’s Summer League performance in front of NBA decision-makers quelled most concerns. A strong finisher and defender at the rim, he has averaged more than 6ppg and 2.5rpg in 12 minutes. Playing for the Chicago Bulls in Vegas, Maker’s improved maturity and consistency were noticed by many. While Maker’s championship season with the Sydney Kings may not have stood out statistically, he experienced a championship environment and was mentored by one of the best there is in Luc Longley. While Maker’s size and athleticism have always been appealing, questions about his consistency and decision-making persisted.

Jack White has earned a two-year deal with the Denver Nuggets. If Coach K says you should be in the NBA, you will be in the NBA. If the Nuggets are willing to invest in his continued development, aiming to knock down his three-point shot consistently, they will get a genuine role player in the near future.Īs a Duke player for four seasons, Jack also had a pretty good character reference to fall back on: from one of the most respected coaches in basketball history, Coach Mike Krzyzewski. White has been rewarded with a two-way contract at Denver (guaranteed $US500,000). White’s ability to switch onto point guards and keep them in front of him, matched with his strength to defend power forwards, is elite. Elite rebounders average a rebound every three minutes Jack pulled down a rebound every two minutes and 20 seconds.

Perhaps more impressive than his ability to score so efficiently was his rebounding. In 17 minutes per game, White averaged 9ppg at 69 per cent from the field, including 67 per cent from three. White’s impressive Boomers form continued when he pulled on his Denver Nuggets jersey. With the Summer League complete, here’s a look at the NBA contract prospects for our key Aussies. The minimum requirement for our aspiring NBA players is to either be elite at one offensive element of their game, or have the ability to ‘win the rim’ by consistently challenging shots in the paint, keep the ball out of the paint and finish shots around the rim that are being contested by seven-foot-tall athletes. There is a growing belief in the NBA, ‘Win the rim, win the game’, and the aerial contests across all games and practices were impressive. Having said that, the step-up in speed, size and athleticism was significant for the Australian players competing in Las Vegas. In the eyes of many NBA executives, the NBL is truly becoming a genuine pathway to the world’s best league. Australian basketball has come a long way – it was hard to find a game without an Aussie connection at the NBA Summer League.

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