Luke Travers is back in the NBL.
Melbourne United have officially secured the signature of the 24-year-old after two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers organisation, where he split his time between the NBA and the G League with the Cleveland Charge.
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The signing comes just a day after fellow Lighthouse Sports Management client Josh Giddey broke the news on social media, with United now confirming Travers’ return on a two-year deal. The move secures one of Australia’s most versatile young players as he enters the prime of his career.
Standing at 198cm, Travers made 24 NBA appearances with the Cavaliers before enjoying a standout campaign in the G League. Across 36 games, including the regular season and Tip-Off Tournament, he averaged 17.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks while shooting 46.2% from the field.
Cleveland Cavaliers' Luke Travers (33) drives past Boston Celtics' Baylor Scheierman (55) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Cleveland Cavaliers' Luke Travers (33) drives past Boston Celtics' Baylor Scheierman (55) during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)Source: AP
His perimeter shooting remains an area for improvement after converting 27.2% (42-of-154) of his three-point attempts in the G League. However, his NBL numbers paint a more encouraging picture. Across the three seasons in which he attempted at least 50 three-pointers, Travers shot 32.4% (74-of-228) from beyond the arc, a respectable mark that should fit well with a Melbourne side that ranked second in the league for three-point attempts last season.
The biggest strength in Travers’ game is his versatility.
Capable of playing multiple positions, he gives new head coach Jacob Chance enormous flexibility on both ends of the floor. Whether deployed as a forward, a secondary playmaker or even as a ball-handler in certain line-ups, Travers’ ability to seamlessly switch roles adds another dimension to an already talented Melbourne roster.
Chris Goulding of United and Luke Travers of United speak with Dean Vickerman, Coach of United during game three of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena, on March 24, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
Chris Goulding of United and Luke Travers of United speak with Dean Vickerman, Coach of United during game three of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena, on March 24, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“Whether it was an import or a marquee local, we wanted to bring in a utility perimeter player who can play as a guard or on the wing that had some versatility to their game, and Luke fits that spot tremendously,” Jacob Chance said, in a statement released by the club.
“He can play, essentially, all five positions. He’s different, he’s dynamic, he’s a big athlete, and I think he’s going to really help us at both ends.
“He’s always been a tremendously high IQ, team player. He has great feel, and that’s something that’s been present since I knew him as a 14, 15-year-old kid.
“When you look at his time in Cleveland, he spent time at multiple positions. Carrying the ball a lot, playing as a rolling big, handling in the pick and roll, and then defensively, I think that’s where he’s really grown the most, having to deal with the athleticism in the G League.
HOBART, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 28: Luke Travers of United celebrates the win during game four of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena, on March 28, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
HOBART, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 28: Luke Travers of United celebrates the win during game four of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena, on March 28, 2024, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“I think he sees this as an opportunity to come back and contend for Championships, while still being able to showcase his skill coming into the prime of his career.”
Travers also returns with an impressive statistical resumé.
He is one of just 19 players in the NBL’s 40-minute era (minimum 20 games played) to average at least one steal and one block in a season, joining an exclusive list that includes DJ Hogg, Andrew Ogilvy, Will Hickey, Dylan Windler, Isaac Humphries, Antonius Cleveland and Yanni Wetzell.
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He has also recorded 11 career double-doubles in the NBL, while his career-high of 24 points has been achieved on two occasions.
Travers joins an already impressive collection of local talent at Melbourne United, with Chance reiterating the club’s ambition to attract the best Australian and New Zealand players.
“I’m aware of the stature that we have as a club being Melbourne United and how important it is to establish relationships and create an environment that marquee Australian players want to be a part of, and it’s certainly a goal of mine to continue that.
Luke Travers of Melbourne United dribbles the ball during the 2023 NBL Blitz match between Melbourne United and Sydney Kings at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 20, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL)
Luke Travers of Melbourne United dribbles the ball during the 2023 NBL Blitz match between Melbourne United and Sydney Kings at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 20, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL)Source: Getty Images
“We want to be a place where high level, blue chip, Australian and New Zealand players want to play and be a part of our program. We’ve obviously got a lot of them in the squad already and Luke just adds to that.
“LT is someone I’ve had a relationship with for a long time. His ambition is to get back to the NBA, and he’s put his trust in us as a program to come back and give himself another opportunity to do that across these next two years, or to be a part of a successful United program beyond that.
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“I see this next few years as really critical for him, and you’re just excited about what he’s going to bring from a versatility and flexibility standpoint.”
Travers joins a Melbourne United roster featuring Kyle Bowen, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Joe Ingles, Fabijan Krslovic, Sean Macdonald (NRP), Malith Machar and Sam Waardenburg, alongside development players Jensen Bradtke and Christian D’Angelo.