Proctor could cash in after Cavaliers reshape backcourt

• Cleveland's decision to trade Dennis Schröder could create more opportunities for Tyrese Proctor
• NBA expert Sam Vecenie says Proctor must beat Meleek Thomas and Craig Porter Jr for meaningful minutes
• Proctor needs to consistently shoot, defend and provide lead-guard minutes to force his way into the rotation

Australian Boomers rising star Tyrese Proctor could be set for a breakout season after the Cleveland Cavaliers traded two rotation guards for former Denver Nuggets wing and restricted free agent Peyton Watson.

The Cavaliers sent Max Struss to the Los Angeles Clippers and Dennis Schröder to the Charlotte Hornets, as well as an unprotected 2031 first-round draft pick, to get small forward Watson, boosting their already elite starting five for a championship run next season, especially after missing out on hometown hero LeBron James.

German international and World Cup star Schröder, 32, has now been traded nine times.

The deal does put a strain on the Cavs' guard depth, despite the Cavs picking up Tre Mann from the Hornets, which could open up more opportunities for Proctor in his second year in the league.

NBA expert and host of The Game Theory podcast Sam Vecenie said there could be an opening for 22-year-old Proctor, but it would depend on several factors.

“Trading away Dennis Schroder could theoretically open up some time for Proctor, but he’ll need to beat out Meleek Thomas and Craig Porter Jr to play real minutes,” he told basketball.com.au.

“Porter is a terrific all-around player who defends, passes and rebounds while Thomas is a microwave scorer who can get buckets in a hurry, plus is coming off a killer Summer League.”

Vecenie, who also appeared on the Cut to the Jase podcast earlier this year, said Proctor needed to improve in certain key areas to earn consistent minutes.

“Proctor will need to prove that he can consistently knock down shots, potentially play some minutes as a lead guard to give (Donovan) Mitchell and (James) Harden a break as well as defend effectively across the backcourt,” he said.

One thing which might play in Proctor’s favour is his close relationship with Mitchell, something he spoke about at length when he appeared on the Cut to the Jase. He also attended Mitchell’s August 1 wedding to singer Coco Jones.

While Strus’ departure may not impact Proctor too much, the trade to move on from Schroder might after the veteran guard averaged more than 20 minutes per game in the regular season following his trade from Sacramento to Cleveland.

He also played almost 14 minutes per game in Cleveland’s first-round series against Toronto, followed by 18 minutes per night against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and finally an average of 15 minutes per game in the series against the eventual champions, the New York Knicks.

Proctor established himself as a favourite of Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson immediately after being drafted, when the franchise’s head coach said he loved the “swagger” the former Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence guard played with.

The New South Wales product showed glimpses of what he could do at NBA level, especially early in the season, including a 17-point performance against the Washington Wizards in November, which he followed up by helping an undermanned Cavs team beat Miami on the road just five days later.

However, his opportunities dried up as the season went on, and the team became healthier and healthier, and the 22-year-old only played a total of 13 playoff minutes.

Proctor is expected to be part of the Boomers’ 2027 FIBA World Cup plans and showed his enthusiasm for the program by coming back to play Asia Cup qualifiers against Guam and the Philippines in Perth recently.

More Proctor minutes for the Cavs would only enhance Australia’s chances of success at next year’s tournament.