Tyrese Proctor’s Early Struggles Highlight a Bigger Challenge for the Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are quietly climbing the Eastern Conference ladder, and when fully healthy, they boast one of the deepest rosters in the league. With a mix of seasoned stars and promising youth, Cleveland has the kind of balance that contenders crave. But amid all the positives, there's a subplot developing that could have longer-term implications-rookie guard Tyrese Proctor is struggling to find his place.
Proctor, a second-round pick out of Duke, came into the season with intrigue. He’s a combo guard with a high basketball IQ and a solid college résumé.
But so far, he’s averaging just 11.9 minutes per game and didn’t even see the floor in the Cavaliers’ Nov. 28 matchup against Atlanta. For a team that needs to hit on low-cost contributors, especially given their cap situation, this is more than just a rookie growing pain-it’s a roster management dilemma.
A Crowded Backcourt and Limited Opportunities
Part of the issue is the sheer number of guards jockeying for minutes. Since Darius Garland returned from a toe injury, the backcourt has been packed with Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Lonzo Ball, Craig Porter Jr., and Sam Merrill all in the mix. That’s a lot of mouths to feed, and Proctor has found himself on the outside looking in.
But it’s not just a numbers game. Injuries and load management have created openings.
Porter Jr. has missed three of the last four games, Merrill has been out for six straight, and Ball isn’t playing in back-to-backs. Garland still isn’t at full strength and has already missed seven games since making his season debut.
Even with those absences, Proctor’s role hasn’t expanded. That tells us something: right now, he’s not in Kenny Atkinson’s rotation plans.
Why This Matters for Cleveland
This isn’t just about one rookie guard. The Cavaliers are deep into the luxury tax, sitting well over the second apron.
Their draft capital is limited-they’ve already moved their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks in the Donovan Mitchell trade. That makes hitting on second-round picks like Proctor not just helpful, but necessary.
Teams in Cleveland’s financial position need to find value on the margins. That means developing young players who can contribute on cheap contracts. If Proctor doesn’t pan out, it’s a missed opportunity in a place where the Cavs can’t afford many.
Other Teams Are Finding Value in Second-Round Guards
It’s rare, but not impossible, for second-round rookie guards to carve out meaningful roles on good teams. We’ve seen it happen.
Take Max Christie with the Lakers during their 2022-23 run to the Western Conference Finals. He wasn’t a star, but he logged 12.5 minutes per game and started three times in 41 appearances. That experience helped him grow into a reliable role player.
Ajay Mitchell had a similar story with the Thunder last season. Despite missing a big chunk of time with turf toe, he played in 36 regular season games and even saw playoff minutes-12 games, averaging seven minutes per. That’s not nothing, especially for a rookie guard on a title team.
And then there’s Will Richard, drafted right alongside Proctor in 2025. He’s already made a name for himself with the Warriors, appearing in 19 games and starting eight.
He’s averaging 18.4 minutes and putting up 8.4 points per game on an efficient 53.8% shooting. That’s the kind of production Cleveland would love to see from Proctor.
Proctor Has to Make His Case
At the end of the day, it’s not just on the coaching staff to find minutes for Proctor-it’s on him to earn them. And so far, the numbers haven’t been kind.
He’s shooting just 32.5% from the field and 27.5% from beyond the arc. On defense, the picture is mixed.
While opponents are shooting just 38.5% against him-an eye-popping figure-he ranks near the bottom of the team in defensive box plus-minus and isn’t making much of an impact in the steals or blocks department.
But there are signs of promise. Proctor has been asked to do a lot when he’s on the court.
Among Cavaliers players, only Garland, Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and De’Andre Hunter have a higher usage rate. And despite that, Proctor has a lower turnover rate than all five.
That’s a good indicator of poise and decision-making-two traits that tend to translate well over time.
There’s also reason to believe his shooting will come around. He was a 36.5% three-point shooter during his college career at Duke. That’s not elite, but it’s solid enough to suggest that his current NBA numbers might be more about adjustment than inability.
The Road Ahead
The Cavaliers don’t need Proctor to be a star. They just need him to be a capable, reliable piece of the rotation.
With his skill set as a secondary playmaker and his potential to grow into a two-way contributor, the foundation is there. But the clock is ticking.
For a team with limited financial flexibility and a championship-caliber core, developing cheap depth isn’t a luxury-it’s a necessity. If Proctor can start to capitalize on his chances, even in small bursts, he could become exactly what Cleveland needs: a low-cost, high-upside guard who helps stabilize the second unit.
The opportunity is there. Now it’s up to Proctor to grab it.