Tyrese Proctor was named the Cleveland Cavaliers' top breakout candidate for the 2026-27 season.
Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz named Tyrese Proctor the Cleveland Cavaliers' top breakout candidate for the 2026-27 season.
Here is why:
"The Cleveland Cavaliers' depth will be tested this season after Dean Wade and Keon Ellis left in free agency, while Dennis Schröder and Max Strus were traded to make a sign-and-trade for Peyton Watson possible. This means a bigger opportunity for some young guys off the bench, especially Tyrese Proctor in the backcourt.
"The 22-year-old former Duke standout had a solid rookie season in Cleveland, making 35.1 percent of his threes and averaging 18.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.7 steals per 36 minutes of play. Proctor spent this past summer playing for Australia in the FIBA World Cup, averaging 19.0 points and shooting 40.0 percent from three. He'll see minutes playing alongside both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden this upcoming season in what could be a breakout role."
Proctor appeared in 50 games for the Cavaliers last season. He averaged 5.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 41.3% from the field, 35.1% from beyond the arc and 88.9% from the free-throw line.
Cleveland used the 49th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Proctor, who should have a bigger role next season since Dean Wade, Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder and Max Strus are gone.
Cleveland opens next season against LeBron James and the 76ers in Philadelphia. That will be an electric atmosphere.
Can a core of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen win a championship? We'll find out soon.
The biggest move the Cavaliers made this summer was signing Mitchell to a massive extension. Mitchell agreed to a four-year, $273 million maximum contract extension with Cleveland.
The Cavaliers acquired Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in 2022. Mitchell is averaging 26.7 points per game in the regular season and 27.3 points per game in the playoffs in a Cleveland uniform.
If the Cavaliers falter in the 2027 playoffs, don't be surprised if Mitchell, Harden and Allen are not on the team in 2027-28.
