East Notes: Cavs, Pacers, Myles Turner, Heat

Cavaliers

Second-round pick Luke Travers is aiming to prove he is worthy of a roster spot, or at least a shot with the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate.

At worst, it would be a return to playing professionally in Australia, with the Cavs keeping him on the radar and owning his draft rights.

“At the end of the day, it’s whatever the team wants and that’s what I’m willing to do,” Travers said, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. “If that’s to go back and do another year then it is what it is. If that’s to stay, then I will do that as well.”

Travers, 20, is a 6-foot-7 forward and spent last season with the Cockburn Cougars of the NBL. Already, the Cavs have seen some things they like.

“One of the things that sticks out to me is his versatility. He can do a lot of things and has a great feel for how to play,” Cavs director of player personal Mike Gerrity said, via Fedor. “I think he can impact the game cutting, dribbling and attacking, leading the break and bringing the ball up the floor following rebounds. Can probably put him at the 4 because of his size if you wanted to play a little smaller. He gives you all that versatility. Brings a lot to the game. You can tell guys enjoy playing with him.”

• In case you missed it, the Cavs have signed shooting guard RJ Nembhard to a two-way contract. Nembhard, 23, is 6-5 and went undrafted out of Texas Christian in 2021, signing a two-way deal with Cleveland in October. He appeared in 14 games with the Cavs, as well as spent time with the Cleveland Charge of the G League.
• It does not appear as if there’s much of a market for restricted free agent Collin Sexton. Still, he and the Cavs have yet to reach a deal. You can read the full post about that right here.

Pacers

The Pacers remain interested in a sign-and-trade for Suns center Deandre Ayton, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN. It is believed an offer sheet from somewhere, somewhere is coming soon.

“[Ayton] at some point is going to get paid, and that could be by the end of this week. The Indiana Pacers are seriously considering giving him an offer sheet,” Windhorst said on Get Up. “They’re also interested in negotiating a sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns for Ayton, potentially involving Myles Turner to be his replacement at center.”

Ayton’s insistence on getting a maximum contract could be slowing the process, according to Jack Maloney of CBS Sports.

• Former Suns lottery pick Jalen Smith ended last season with the Pacers and got a new deal to boot. Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Smith received a three-year, $15.1 million deal, including a player option for 2024-25, as well as a 10 percent trade kicker.

Heat

Victor Oladipo spoke confidently about his return to the Heat, agreeing to a two-year deal worth about $17 million in free agency. Oladipo indicated he has recovered fully from knee and quadriceps issues that limited him severely over the last two seasons.

“It’s tough whenever you face adversity, and you have to figure out a way to climb out of it and figure out a way to continue to keep pushing and keep fighting,” Oladipo said, via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “Of course I’m human. There are days where it gets frustrating. There are days you wish you can turn back time and change things.

“But I live with no regrets. Things happen to everyone. It’s just about how you handle that thing or that situation when it comes up that defines what type of character and what type of person you are, when it’s all said and done. I know this is a mountain climb, and I just started climbing the mountain.”

Oladipo appeared in just eight regular-season games with Miami last season and averaged 12.4 points. He has also spent time with the Pacers, Rockets, Thunder and Magic.

• The Heat have signed undrafted Fresno State center Orlando Robinson to an Exhibit 10 contract, the team announced. Robinson is 6-11 and averaged 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds as a junior last season. You can read more about him right here.