Craig Porter Jr. isn’t thrilled about seeing Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis depart the Cavs, but he says their exits clear a road for him to claim the backup point‑guard slot this fall, reports Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
“You hate to watch guys leave, but that’s how opportunities arise,” Porter explained. “The chance is there, and I have to seize it. It’s all on me… They’re giving me a stage to show what I’ve worked on for years. I want to set the tone, prove I can lead the second unit and impact wins, whether by scoring or handling the little things.”
Fedor notes Porter is battling two recent second‑round picks—Tyrese Proctor (49th, 2025) and Meleek Thomas (34th, 2026). Proctor bulked up this offseason, while Thomas shone in July’s Summer League. Yet Porter holds the experience edge, having logged 166 Cavs games since 2023 and earning widespread support within the club.
Koby Altman, the Cavs’ president of basketball operations, praised the fourth‑year guard’s work ethic and character. “We think the world of him,” Altman said. “He has a great opportunity, but we can’t promise anything. This is the NBA—highly competitive on the court and in the gym as we keep adding talent.”
If Porter secures the role and thrives, his NBA future beyond 2026‑27 looks bright. He’s entering the final year of his current deal and will be eligible for an extension through June 30 before potentially hitting unrestricted free agency. For my money, his veteran minutes give him the edge.
Here’s more from around the Central region:
- In a SiriusXM NBA Radio interview with Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine, new Bucks guard Tyler Herro said he’d been “kind of pushing” for the trade that sent him from Miami to Milwaukee as part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo package. “I wanted to come home, have a fresh start,” the Milwaukee native said. “I’m glad it happened. Getting here, a new coaching staff, a new culture—we’re all embracing it.”
- Dailyn Swain endured a rough Summer League in July, shooting just 4‑of‑31 (12.9%) and missing all seven three‑point attempts. The Bulls rookie, according to Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune, is eager to move past that performance and earn a spot in Tiago Splitter’s regular‑season rotation. He’s made a strong impression in camp. “It’s night and day,” Splitter observed. “He wasn’t himself at Summer League, but he’s improved, handling the little things to prove himself. Once he’s confident, he becomes a different player, which is what we expect.” Can Swain turn that promise into consistent NBA production?