By Justin Chadwick
The Perth Wildcats’ bid to return to their championship-winning ways has suffered a huge blow, with Luke Travers informing the club of his desire to explore his options as a free agent.
Travers first joined the Wildcats as a development player in 2019 and was elevated to the main roster ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Luke Travers has told the Wildcats he wants to pursue his options as a free agent.Credit:Getty Images
The 200-centimetre rising star was taken by the Cleveland Cavaliers with pick No.56 in the 2022 NBA draft, before being loaned back to the Wildcats.
The 21-year-old averaged 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game last season, with the Wildcats bowing out at the play-in stage of the finals.
Cleveland appear happy to let Travers continue to develop in Australia, but where he ends up remains to be seen.
“While the club is obviously disappointed to receive this news, we respect his decision as a free agent and wish him the best for his future career,” the Wildcats said in a statement.
“The club will continue to focus on completing its roster with the opening of the free agency period.”
The Wildcats won the last of their 10 championships in 2020.
Perth’s 35-year play-off streak ended in 2022, and they only just scraped into the play-in stage of the finals last season under new coach John Rillie.
Bryce Cotton, Todd Blanchfield, Corey Webster, Mitch Norton and Kyle Zunic are all contracted with the Wildcats next season, but the futures of Tai Webster and skipper Jesse Wagstaff are unclear.
AAP
