Official Caris LeVert Thread

[Prokorov]

With this kid there's both room for caution and optimism. Time will tell.

thats kind of what you get at #20. a risk reward guy or a low ceiling role guy

[jbeachboy]

evan roberts is angry cause we wasted thad to get a guy he feels would of gotten later in draft, we wouldnt have gotten whitehead. we were a 21 win team, i dont blame marks unless you feel thad young is taking this team somewhere.

[jbeachboy]

i love thad but he is a weak defender and passer, he is just a good scorer. we need to take some gambles. anyone think levert could start or he backs up rondae or bogs?

[jbeachboy]

levert is out for summer league but is expected to be cleared in mid july for full contact and 5 on 5 stuff.

[Net Sentence]

so not too in depth, but my Michigan friend said it's hard to really say how good he really is b/c of the 3 surgeries... but when healthy he's a long wing who can slash, shoot the 3, and a great on ball defender. But the last time he played meaningful basketball was 2 years ago... he was the best player on the team his junior year, and the back to back foot injuries just killed his stock. Potentially a lottery talent without the injuries.

It's like buying a new car that has engine problems. It makes no sense to trade Thad for this kid.

Thad isnt a superstar but you know what you are getting with him and you know that he is going to outperform his contract.

Levert has to overcome a lot just to be an average player.

the problem with thad is exactly that... you know what you have and what you have isnt what you want from a starting big in todays league.

the trade is more about the cap space and re-investing that 12M into shooters and defenders and probably wings.

Cap space and the trade are two very different things you keep trying to merge into one.

We would have gotten cap space for whichever draft pick we traded Thad for. Or do you want to argue that point because math is on my side.

Not getting value for Thad is the first problem. Marks got the same relative value for Thad that the Kings got for Bellinelli. That's a huge problem that everyone keeps tip toeing around.

The 2nd problem is that Marks got bad value for the actually pick itself. He drafted a senior with 3 surgeries on the same part of his foot. LeVert will be 22 when the season starts, not 19. He doesnt have much upside if healthy which is a HUGE IF. LeVert was a potential lottery pick like everyone has been saying but that was TWO years ago. He's long been considered a fringe 1st rounder.

This was about as bad as you can do right before free agency opens.

[Netaman]

I think on the injury front you have to take the position that if the kid were truly damaged goods there's no way we, of all teams, would have taken him (O'Malley). So then from there you evaluate the talent. The 3 point shot looks great, he's got prototypical size, he's tough, he defends, and he can pass/slash at least a little bit (great T:A). Interesting tool box for that point in the draft.

To me, it comes down to just how good the shot is - he shot 40%+ his final 3 years in college and he's roughly the exact same size as Klay Thompson & Kyle Korver. Only 21 guys in the NBA shot over 40% from 3 last year. If his 3 ball carries over to the NBA he's going to be a really interesting player. If it doesn't he's likely going to be a middle of the road wing player.

[Net Sentence]

From his DraftExpress page:

Working off the dribble, he shows flashes of potential that could translate to the NBA but has never been able to develop this part of his game with any consistency. Lacking strength, aggressiveness and a consistent pull-up jumper, LeVert has never looked comfortable as a go-to guy creator that a team can rely upon in the half-court with the shot clock winding down. He can attack closeouts off the bounce and he has a nice first step that allows him to get by his defender into space, but has struggled to make shots off the dribble throughout his college career, converting just 62 of his 222 attempts (28%) over the past four years according to Synergy Sports Technology, a far cry from his blistering ability as a catch and shoot threat. This will be key for his development, as he isn't always strong or explosive enough to get into the paint, and will need to be able to make pull-ups if he's handling the ball in a combo guard role at the NBA level.

LeVert's quick first step does allow him to straight line drive to the rim when he has a clear path, but he isn't able to maneuver through a crowded lane off the dribble. He has a tendency to avoid contact around the rim, stopping short of the rim protectors to shoot a contested floater or attempting to avoid the defense altogether, which causes him to put up an off-balance shot attempt. Combining this with his inability to consistently shoot pull-up jumpers and he may struggle to create offense for himself at the next level, delegating him to more of a spot-up and secondary facilitator type role.

Secondary facilitator type???? That's not worth Thad. If I read this to you without telling you who it is you would guess it was Karasev.

This pick was awful. Our best hope is that he can be a role player. That's it. You dont draft low ceiling players like LeVert if you are in our position. At least Thad was already a good role player.

[MrDollarBills]

I have no problems with trading Thad but yes, LeVert was a reach. That much is true.

I'm done being angry though. This kid is a Net and I'm rooting hard for him. He has skills, his health is my main concern.

We'll have to pray that Marks can put that 50 mil to good use.

[jbeachboy]

levert looks like superstar or all star type player, he just needs to stay healthy and add weight. i think atkinson will help him reach his potential. levert can do everything on the court it seems. he was lottery type talent if it wasnt for injuries.

[Paradise]

I have no problems with trading Thad but yes, LeVert was a reach. That much is true.

I'm done being angry though. This kid is a Net and I'm rooting hard for him. He has skills, his health is my main concern.

We'll have to pray that Marks can put that 50 mil to good use.

A reach would indicate that there were a plethora of kids there that have much better ceilings. He's one of the most efficient guards in the class. Everyone else is a work in progress when it comes to both sides. Atleast with LeVert. You expect this kid to come in and knock down shots right away even if he is still a work in progress.

Now, I can understand the criticism from the injury standpoint but from a talent standpoint. Who else was available that was definitively much better?

- LeVert's NBA Comparison: Khris Middleton

- Bembry's NBA Comparison: Poor Man's Rodney Hood

- Malachi Richardson's NBA Comparison: JR Smith / Courtney Lee

-Luwawu's NBA Comparison: Thabo Sefelosha

- Korkmaz's NBA Comparison: Jeremy Lamb / Poor Man's Gordon Heyward.


You add some pieces here and there. You attempt to add some pieces in FA or hope to get someone like Rubio, Bledsoe, Knight in a trade. Then wait until the next draft when it's much deeper class to add a real intriguing talent and we won't need to make a trade to gain a 1st in the next draft class and due to the stipulation in the Boston pick swap. We will receive their 2nd round pick if they choose to exercise the swap. Package that with cash and move up into the early 2nd or late 1st.

All of a sudden, we're looking at Whitehead, Kilpatrick, LeVert, RHJ, McCullough, 17' 1st, 17' 1st or 2nd, Lopez. You've successfully amassed assets that is respectable enough to entice elite free agents and that is not including bargain signings that will be made this summer. Fans want home runs. Marks is looking to add singles and doubles to get the bases loaded.

[King Ken]

I have no problems with trading Thad but yes, LeVert was a reach. That much is true.

I'm done being angry though. This kid is a Net and I'm rooting hard for him. He has skills, his health is my main concern.

We'll have to pray that Marks can put that 50 mil to good use.

A reach would indicate that there were a plethora of kids there that have much better ceilings. He's one of the most efficient guards in the class. Everyone else is a work in progress when it comes to both sides. Atleast with LeVert. You expect this kid to come in and knock down shots right away even if he is still a work in progress.

Now, I can understand the criticism from the injury standpoint but from a talent standpoint. Who else was available that was definitively much better?

- LeVert's NBA Comparison: Khris Middleton

- Bembry's NBA Comparison: Poor Man's Rodney Hood

- Malachi Richardson's NBA Comparison: JR Smith / Courtney Lee

-Luwawu's NBA Comparison: Thabo Sefelosha

- Korkmaz's NBA Comparison: Jeremy Lamb / Poor Man's Gordon Heyward.


You add some pieces here and there. You attempt to add some pieces in FA or hope to get someone like Rubio, Bledsoe, Knight in a trade. Then wait until the next draft when it's much deeper class to add a real intriguing talent and we won't need to make a trade to gain a 1st in the next draft class and due to the stipulation in the Boston pick swap. We will receive their 2nd round pick if they choose to exercise the swap. Package that with cash and move up into the early 2nd or late 1st.

All of a sudden, we're looking at Whitehead, Kilpatrick, LeVert, RHJ, McCullough, 17' 1st, 17' 1st or 2nd, Lopez. You've successfully amassed assets that is respectable enough to entice elite free agents and that is not including bargain signings that will be made this summer. Fans want home runs. Marks is looking to add singles and doubles to get the bases loaded.

NBA comparison's are not that good. Situations mean so much to players to succeed in. I am a fan of LeVert. The closest player I've seen to Klay Thompson in years as a prospect. Not as good as Devin Booker though.

I like Bembry a lot. I don't think he's ready to get PT for the Hawks but his future looks bright. All of the guys need to be developed but LeVert is the most NBA ready of the listed guys.

[jbeachboy]

levert has tracy mcgrady star potential.

[King Ken]

levert has tracy mcgrady star potential.

Naw. He's no where near that talented.

[MrDollarBills]

Yeah I don't see the comparison at all to T-Mac. Especially athletically and off the dribble. If not for injuries T-Mac would have been a lock for 1st ballot HOF. I'd hesitate to compare any rookie to a guy like that

[jbeachboy]

im watching leverts youtube video and he has similar qualities to tmac as far as his scoring ability, shooting, and passing. he isnt as explosive as mcgrady but i think he looks more skilled than the guys he is compared to like khris middleton, jamal crawford, and jeremy lamb.
his ceiling is mcgrady if levert can become a superstar.

[Prokorov]

Cap space and the trade are two very different things you keep trying to merge into one.

We would have gotten cap space for whichever draft pick we traded Thad for. Or do you want to argue that point because math is on my side.

Not getting value for Thad is the first problem. Marks got the same relative value for Thad that the Kings got for Bellinelli. That's a huge problem that everyone keeps tip toeing around.

I guess we just view thads value differently. i had his value about the 15-25th pick. you obviously expected higher. I dont think there is really a big market for a PF who doesnt stretch the floor and isnt a plus defender. Teams want flor spacers and they want to go small and they want guys who lockdown on D. thad is a throwback. you also have to factor in anyone with a pick 12 or higher who wanted a PF could have had a shot Sabonis, who is basically a bigger, younger thad with some upside.

Bellinelli is a less talented player then thad no doubt. but 3 point shooting is more valuable then its ever been and the guy is a career 38% shooter from three. he is the type teams look for. floor spacers.

i just dont see who would have given more for thad. i dont see a team that needs him and i dont see a team with a higher pick that was interested. maybe we give him to toronto for their later pick and a player but that cuts into the cap savings

The 2nd problem is that Marks got bad value for the actually pick itself. He drafted a senior with 3 surgeries on the same part of his foot. LeVert will be 22 when the season starts, not 19. He doesnt have much upside if healthy which is a HUGE IF. LeVert was a potential lottery pick like everyone has been saying but that was TWO years ago. He's long been considered a fringe 1st rounder.

This was about as bad as you can do right before free agency opens.

we can agree to disagree on upside if healthy. if healthy i think he has a ton of upside. but there is really no reason to bash our heads aganst the wall arguing about upside of a rookie in the 20's.


but for me i dont really care much about the pick. in the 20's its either a career role guy, a washout, or a risk/reward type.

for me this trade was always about 2 things:

1) the 12M in cap space being mroe valuable then thad(something ive said since last offseason)

2) thad is a poor fit next to brook. he does the same things brook does only not as well and doesnt compliment him by spacing the floor or blowing up pick and rolls and playing great team D.

To me this allows us to build around brook. we will have a new starting PG/SG/SF/PF and now we can mold those 4 guys to what fits our best(only good) player.

it also allows us to invest heavily in the wings instead of the front court, which fits todays game mroe.

[Prokorov]

McGrady comparisons are terrible. even as a pie in the sky ceiling comparison.

[DeRoma]

Interesting article I saw on Netsdaily couple hours before the NBA draft started. http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2016/6/23/12015638/why-nba-teams-should-take-a-chance-on-caris-levert-despite-injury?_ga=1.246227532.918173144.1313254802

[vincecarter4pres]

Kris Middleton is a solid comparison for him if he pans out and stays healthy, maybe even Eddie Jones.

He has very real star potential though. His first step is ridiculous. He's a freaky smooth athlete with sneaky explosion in every facet. He's not like VC explosive by any means, but he's one of those players who effortlessly blows by defenders almost in slow motion and next thing is throwing down a 2 handed dunk in traffic from 5 feet out.

Same in the open court, he doesn't look hyper fast and isn't really, but he moves and again, it's a smooth glide where you don't even realize how much ground he's covering til it happens.

I'm trying to think of the perfect comparison for his ultimate upside, possibly a young prime Pierce or Brandon Roy, but that's still off, maybe more Michael Redd, still not a great one, but getting warm.

As long as healthy I think he's a lock long term starter such as a Cuttino Mobley or Afflalolol though.

This guy would have been a top 10 pick in the last two drafts if not for the reoccurring injuries, I forgot all about him til we drafted him.

Still feel he was somewhat of a reach that high because of the foot, but the mocks were wildly off this year and IRL maybe they got wind he was coming off the board soon and didn't want to chance acquiring another pick?

[Net Sentence]

Kris Middleton is a solid comparison for him if he pans out and stays healthy, maybe even Eddie Jones.

He has very real star potential though. His first step is ridiculous. He's a freaky smooth athlete with sneaky explosion in every facet. He's not like VC explosive by any means, but he's one of those players who effortlessly blows by defenders almost in slow motion and next thing is throwing down a 2 handed dunk in traffic from 5 feet out.

Same in the open court, he doesn't look hyper fast and isn't really, but he moves and again, it's a smooth glide where you don't even realize how much ground he's covering til it happens.

I'm trying to think of the perfect comparison for his ultimate upside, possibly a young prime Pierce or Brandon Roy, but that's still off, maybe more Michael Redd, still not a great one, but getting warm.

As long as healthy I think he's a lock long term starter such as a Cuttino Mobley or Afflalolol though.

This guy would have been a top 10 pick in the last two drafts if not for the reoccurring injuries, I forgot all about him til we drafted him.

Still feel he was somewhat of a reach that high because of the foot, but the mocks were wildly off this year and IRL maybe they got wind he was coming off the board soon and didn't want to chance acquiring another pick?

The Draft Thread has been up for months and no one was talking about this kid. No one. I dont see any post on how he was suppose to go in the top 10 and that we should have targeted him. Now everyone is blinding cosigning an obviously bad pick, one we could have made in the 2nd round buying a pick. Here is what ND just posted:

The Big Reach

No team made as big a reach on Draft Night as the Nets did. In fact, it's hard to recall any team in recent memory making as big a reach.

Caris LeVert was seen as a second rounder, a deep second rounder on some boards, as deep as No. 50 on one. The Nets took him at No. 20. That 30-spot jump is extraordinary, maybe less so in this strange draft, but historically teams don't do that. It's not just 30 spots. It's the difference between handing out a guaranteed two year (with another two year option) contract and offering a non-guaranteed deal.

None of the big mock drafts had LeVert in the first round .. the highest being NBADraft.net who had him at No. 32.