Cavs Land Duke Sharpshooter Tyrese Proctor at No. 49, Eye Instant Impact in Rebuilt Backcourt
In a draft class loaded with upside and uncertainty, the Cleveland Cavaliers may have landed one of the most polished offensive guards still on the board at pick No. 49. With their first second-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Cavs selected Duke University combo guard Tyrese Proctor—adding an experienced and proven scorer to a roster looking to deepen its backcourt rotation.
Standing at 6’5” with a silky shooting stroke and mature playmaking instincts, Proctor brings with him three years of high-level experience from one of college basketball’s most demanding programs. He averaged 12.4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists this past season for the Blue Devils, while shooting a strong .452 from the field, .405 from three, and .680 from the free throw line. His performance was good enough to earn him Third Team All-ACC honors.
But beyond the stats, what truly makes Proctor an appealing selection for Cleveland is his elite perimeter shooting and ability to adapt between on-ball and off-ball roles—two traits the Cavaliers sorely need.
A Reliable Shooting Stroke with NBA Translation
Proctor’s shooting efficiency wasn’t just good—it was elite. In the 2025 NCAA Tournament, he caught fire early, going 13-of-16 from beyond the arc in Duke’s first two games. Though his hot hand cooled slightly as the tournament wore on, he still finished the run shooting 55.2% from three-point range, showing composure under pressure and a deep range that will be crucial at the next level.
Draft analysts like Nick Agar-Johnson of No Ceilings have praised Proctor’s shooting mechanics and growth.
“He’s continued his upward trajectory as a jump shooter, ranking in the 94th percentile on jump shots per Synergy,” Agar-Johnson wrote. “The shot, once a swing skill for Proctor, has become his main selling point.”
Whether it’s spot-up catch-and-shoot threes or off-the-dribble pull-ups, Proctor showcased his versatility throughout the year. He hit 37.2% of his catch-and-shoot threes and an impressive 40.5% on pull-up triples, making him a legitimate threat on the perimeter regardless of where he is on the court or how he’s used.
Why the Cavs Pulled the Trigger
The Cavaliers’ early playoff exit in 2025 at the hands of the Indiana Pacers exposed two major weaknesses: poor perimeter shooting from role players and a lack of dynamic ball handling. With veteran guards like Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill headed into free agency, Cleveland entered the offseason needing backcourt insurance.
Enter Tyrese Proctor.
Cavs general manager Mike Gansey revealed that the team had an “almost first-round grade” on Proctor, making it an easy decision to offer him a standard contract, not a two-way deal—an unusual move for a second-round pick and a clear vote of confidence in his potential.
“We saw him as a player with first-round talent who slipped because of athleticism concerns, but his skill set fits perfectly with what we need,” said a source close to the Cavs’ front office.
A Balanced Skill Set with Room to Grow
Proctor’s stats show a drop in assist numbers from his first two seasons at Duke, when he averaged 3.3 and 3.7 assists per game, down to just 2.2 in his junior campaign. That drop can be attributed to a shift toward an off-ball role, which may have limited his chances to create plays but allowed him to showcase his catch-and-shoot efficiency.
While his shot has blossomed, some scouts note that his athletic profile remains a concern.
According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports:
“At-rim finishing: Below-the-rim player despite his height… Synergy data shows he made only 49.3% of his layups as a Duke junior.
Athleticism: Lacks elite athletic traits… looks more like a finesse player than a power driver.”
Still, in an NBA that increasingly values skill over raw athleticism, Proctor’s ability to play smart, efficient basketball with or without the ball makes him a valuable asset. With the right development, especially under a system that emphasizes spacing and ball movement, he could become a dependable second-unit contributor—or even more.
Fit and Forecast in Cleveland
Cleveland’s core of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell remains intact for now, but injuries, roster depth, and potential trades make it vital to have cost-effective, NBA-ready talent on standby. Proctor fits that mold. He may not have the explosiveness of other young guards, but he brings a steadiness and shooting efficiency that will earn him minutes in a system hungry for offensive spacing and shot creation.
As the Cavs prepare to evaluate their roster in Summer League and beyond, all eyes will be on Proctor’s ability to translate his shooting and decision-making to the pro level. If he can defend well enough and adapt to the NBA’s pace, he could carve out a rotation role sooner than expected.
A Quiet Steal with Loud Potential
The Cavaliers may have just pulled off one of the draft’s quietest steals. While other teams chased upside, Cleveland zeroed in on a player who fits today’s NBA—and their specific needs—like a glove.
Proctor may not have the hype of a lottery pick, but his profile as a polished shooter with high basketball IQ could make him one of the more impactful second-rounders in this draft class. If the fit in Cleveland is right and the opportunity comes, Tyrese Proctor could be a name we hear a lot more of in the near future.
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