The Cavaliers surprise run from picking 3rd overall in the 2021 draft, to sitting in 4th place in the Eastern Conference is nothing short of amazing. Making the run all the more impressive is the fact that they’ve done it despite having injuries to several starters, most notably losing guard Collin Sexton for the year to a torn meniscus.
The quick turnaround had front office execs around the league wondering whether this would lead to the Cavs being buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. Some believed they’d ship off veterans at the deadline and try to make a true run at a championship in 2022-23. Others believed the timely turnaround would see Cleveland look to bolster their roster in a wide open Eastern Conference.
Well, fans got their answer on Sunday as Cleveland completed a major deal with Indiana, acquiring guard Caris LeVert and a 2nd round pick from Miami in exchange for Ricky Rubio’s expiring contract, a lottery protected 2022 1st round pick, and two second round draft selections.
The second round picks heading to Indiana include the Rockets 2022 selection, and a 2027 2nd rounder from the Jazz.
LeVert is currently averaging 18.7pts/3.8reb/4.4ast while shooting 44.7% from the field. The 27 year old is making $17.5M this season, and has 1 more year at $18.796M before becoming a free agent in 2023. LeVert is the first domino to fall in Indiana in what’s expected to be a busy trade deadline for the team as they prepare to enter a rebuild.
The former Michigan Wolverines guard goes from the 19-35 Pacers to the 32-21 Cavs, who are only 1.5 games out of first place at the moment. LeVert adds a scoring threat to Cleveland that they were lacking following the Sexton injury. LeVert scores most of his points on drives to the basket, something the Cavs offense is in desperate need of lately.
What will be interesting to see in the wake of the trade is whether the Cavs front office engages in extension talks with LeVert and his agent, or simply lets the contract play out. LeVert and Sexton both possess similar attributes, meaning that there may not be room for both of them in the Cleveland offense long term.
A former first round draft pick, LeVert enjoyed his best season as a professional last year, splitting time between the Nets and Pacers. The veteran guard posted career highs in points per game (20.2), rebounds (4.6), assists (5.2), steals (1.4) and blocks (0.6) amongst others.
The Pacers are also expected to move big men Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. As the losses continued to pile up in Indiana, rumours of locker room discontent involving LeVert and others began to leak. While the team was quick to play this down, it’s interesting to note that LeVert was the first player shipped out in what’s likely to be a firesale in Indiana.
LeVert rejoins former Nets teammate Jarrett Allen in Cleveland, reuniting two of the players involved in the blockbuster James Harden deal. The Pacers are scheduled to take on the Cavaliers on Sunday night.