CAVS TRADE FOR CARIS LEVERT

Yesterday the Cleveland Cavaliers completed a trade for Indiana Pacers guard  and 27 year old Caris LeVert who had been linked to the Cavaliers for a while. Linked almost as much as Lowry to Miami and Lonzo to Chicago as it finally happens just a couple days from the trade deadline. The talk of the Cavaliers all season was that they had a glaring need for another skilled shot creator, with that being only Darius Garland all year with veteran Ricky Rubio stepping up every now and then. And with Caris being a shot creator and an Ohio native, it was pretty simple for him to be linked to the Cavaliers. 

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A 'PERFECT' FIT

As LeVert reunites with former teammate Jarrett Allen who has been having a career year and the Cavs just needing another shot creator, Caris should fit right in. Now before everyone throws a parade on the name that is Caris LeVert, he is 27 years old and turning 28 this year so he is not apart of the Cavs young core. LeVert also shooting thirty-two percent from three which is a bit below league average. Not to debbie down the move the Cavs made because it is certainly a good one but everyone seems to be forgetting LeVert's age and not being the best three point shooter. Having Okoro, LeVert, Mobley, and Allen on the floor at once for the Cavs wont have the best spacing but on the bright side Garland will have another player to take some ball handling stress from him. LeVert is an excellent pick n roll pick ya poison type player as is Darius Garland that is good at setting up his big man and himself. Having LeVert also gives the defense another player to key in to when the ball is in their hands. As we know LeVert is known to be a good space creator being good at creating space for himself and others with his dribble moves and pick and roll game.

As far as lineups goes I'd like Cleveland to run LeVert as the starting two guard, not the three. A Garland-LeVert backcourt is what the Cavs should want with either guard being an off ball threat. I'd hope for the Cavs to not go small ball up front with a Garland-LeVert-Okoro tandem but with Clevelands current roster construction it may have to be the case. Back to the bright side of things, LeVert is averaging 18.7 points per game on the season forty-four percent from the field. The Cavs have desperately needed that. This will add a new dynamic to Garland's game as he has less of a load to carry and could be used more as an off ball threat and vise versa to LeVert. Both players I expect to have the ball in their hands in clutch time situations. And just like Darius Garland, LeVert will be setting up Mobley and Allen very well in the PNR game. 

AP Photo

PACERS LOOK TO NOW REBUILD FINALLY 

The Pacers in return received Ricky Rubio and his expiring deal, Cavs 2022 lottery protected first, and two second rounders. As Indiana finally looks to unload and refresh from mediocrity, a Cavs first rounder will be valuable. With how close the east is now it is no telling where that pick will end up-- maybe around the twenties -- that pick will help the Pacers rebuild. Indiana also gets a Houston Rockers second rounder which is bound to be in the very high thirties which is borderline a first. And per Woj, the LeVert trade will likely be the domino effect to them finally trading Turner and Sabonis as well. If I was Indiana I would have looked to at least get a real player back, since Rubio is out for the season and on an expiring deal but the picks Indiana got are valuable, as long as they draft well obviously. And with LeVert's possibly health risks, age, and not being the best shooter I would not call this move a "highway robbery" just a trade that helps both teams about equally. 

Shoutout to the Cavaliers for being willing to trade for Caris and actually getting it done and thank you Indiana for finally starting to blow things up and retool. I love this for both teams, and I'm excited to see Caris with his hometeam.