It’s not easy being a rookie on a championship-contending team. More often than not, you’re an afterthought who is destined to be buried in the rotation; a cheap contract to fill the backend of a roster that is already complete.
But for Tyrese Proctor, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a hotbed for internal development.
Proctor was selected 49th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. A 6’5” combo guard who excelled as a three-point shooter in college. He’ll join a star-studded backcourt that features Darius Garland
and Donovan Mitchell, with veterans like Max Strus, Lonzo Ball and Sam Merrill eating deeper into the available minutes. Proctor might not surpass any of them during his rookie season — but he can learn from all of them.
There are multiple paths in front of Proctor. He can lean into being an off-ball threat by following Merrill’s footsteps as a pure shooter.
Or, Proctor can learn to blend his off-ball movement with a little bit of tertiary playmaking, like Max Strus. The more capable Proctor becomes as a ball-handler, the more he can learn from Garland and Mitchell. Even Lonzo Ball can help Proctor tap into his defensive potential as a taller guard with a plus-wingspan.
Will Proctor perfectly fit into any of these comps? Of course not. That’s the beauty of basketball. But there are shades of each teammate in Proctor’s unpolished game. He will benefit greatly from the lessons they can provide.
The Cavs organization is not in a position to prioritize Proctor’s development. Meaning, he won’t get in-game reps until he earns them. And, his star teammates aren’t likely to stop what they are doing and take the time to mentor him.
Nonetheless, Proctor will be with the team more than usual for the 49th pick. The Cavs landed Proctor because they promised him a standard contract rather than a two-way deal. Cleveland clearly sees potential in Proctor and isn’t planning on casting him away to the G-League. At least, not right away. That means Proctor will get to practice with the pros and learn through osmosis.
It’s unlikely Proctor plays heavy minutes or cracks the rotation in his rookie year. But Kenny Atkinson’s motion offense will ensure Proctor gets a fair shake whenever he sees the floor. I’d expect to see flashes of Proctor’s potential as a 3-and-D creator — with plenty of warts to cover up as the season goes on.
Proctor is a promising player for a late second-round prospect. The Cavs will be patient with his development. So while it could take years for Proctor to develop, we can safely bet that he’ll find everything he needs by watching his star teammates.
