jbk1234 wrote:ijspeelman wrote:JonFromVA wrote:
LeVert is useful, long, plays D, can run some offense, is even shooting pretty well and injuries are a reality. Basically backs up 3 positions for us AND has already accepted coming off the bench - something Collin didn't do when he was here.
If LeVert isn't traded, the FO's intentions seem clear and I don't think Cavs fans are ready. They are going to look to re-sign LeVert.
I actually think we could land on a lower deal than 70 mil over 4 years as I don't think he's going to get nearly the same contract structure as he currently has. If 4 years, I assume he will make between 11-15mil per year avg so 44-60 over 4. For a guy that has the attributes above (besides the shooting well from the floor), that's a good bench piece price.
I will say his shooting still concerns me (may be an understatement, shooting -5.9 rTS% this year), but he has shot his second least of his entire career (FGA per 100) so he isn't bleeding much value there. For how much he's been a decent close range mid-range shooter in his career, he has been actually awful in these spots this year. I do think if he's either able to reduce these shots (by extending plays when he gets into the paint) or make them back at this career averages that he would be worth a lot more as scorer. He has also impressed as a C&S three point shooter this year (39.5% on 3.1 attempts per 36).
I also think his secondary playmaking punch off the bench is something we would miss if he ultimately leaves.
You can get the type of playmakiing punch LeVert brings for the MLE (and in some cases even less). LeVert has improved his defense to the point where he's replacement level, he's a decent secondary rebounder, his assist totals look less impressive once you factor in his turnovers. His handle isn't great and he struggles driving with his head up.
Part of me wonders if, apart from the money, LeVert really wants to re-sign here. His role has been reduced and he might prefer a team with more shooting, more spacing, and fewer ballhandlers. His midrange game has basically disappeared and I suspect one of the reasons is that 10-15 foot shot he likes isn't really there with multiple defenders occupying that space.
He plays well alongside Mitchell, less so alongside Garland, and he plays better rotating into units with multiple starters in it than with the second unit. He really shouldn't be tasked with primary ballhandling duties or running an offense.
He's a guy with a lot of pluses and a lot of minuses. I wouldn't mind keeping him on MLE money, or just north of it (in recognition that he's serviceable as an emergency starter), but he's hardly irreplaceable. If another team wants to sign him for more than that, explore a S&T and move on.
Speaking of his plus minuses ...
Caris and the other 4 starters are +8.3 pp100 (167 minutes) ... which is fantastic.
The good news is Isaac and the other 4 starters are right up there too at +8.2 (199 minutes).
The lineup with Caris and Isaac but without Mitchell is +4.1 (95 minutes) which is very nice as well.
Our other top-4 lineup has Stevens in that 5th spot, and that's -3.0 (152 minutes)
So, per usual, I don't really care if some of Caris's stats aren't what we'd like to see ... I care about results and the results are looking not good, but terrific.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2023/lineups/If we can get a player like that for the MLE ... cool? But you also have to consider Altman is not picking from every player available, he's filtering out guys who might not fit seamlessly or might cause chemistry problems ... and they're filtering us out based on their desire to make more than the MLE, or get guaranteed playing time, or preference to play near a beach, etc.
There's a reason we like to trade for players before signing them up long-term, so if you'd rather not see Caris in this team's future, well - you'd better hope Altman finds something better by tomorrow and they show us something in what little remains of the season.
Otherwise, expect us to spend the MLE and/or mini-MLE very conservatively on someone we've liked, who has a solid track record, and is going to accept being part of this team and likely a reserve. Speaking Josh Hart types.
If Caris didn't have the flaws he has ... he'd be getting offers upwards of $25M/year ... but behind those numbers, he's shooting a career high on 3pt% (and it's not a weird thing for a veteran to improve his 3pt shooting) and he's been surprisingly good on defense.
