[WOJ] Cleveland is acquiring Caris Levert in a trade for Ricky Rubio, '22 1st and 2 2nds

[Schiltzenberger]

LeVert and Allen had great PnR chemistry at the Nets.

[JujitsuFlip]

I think the Cavs could have used a more knock down 3 like Barnes. Maybe the package they offered wasn't enough or they have plans for Lavert to light it up off the bench.

Exactly what I thought they should've did too.

If LeVert can buy-in on defense and focus more so on the playmaking than the scoring aspect of his game, hopefully he will fit in no problem.

[sisibilio]

Sure. I value Caris Levert more than the expected return of a late FRP. The argument for the Cavs not making this trade isn't that by itself though. An FRP isn't just the player it results in, it's the value it can increase in a trade. I honestly just wanted the Cavs to re-sign Rubio next year, since he was fitting in so well with Mobley, Allen, and Garland.

They may still sign Rubio in the summer if Sexton is gone. At his age and coming off an injury nobody is gonna throw big money at him.

[Pointgod]

Great trade for the Cavs. I like it, honestly they’re not going to miss their first round pick this year and Lavert can give them what they’ve been missing since Rubio went down, if they can get him to buy in. This trade works out for both teams. This is where I saw Lavert’s value trending. Kudos to Cleveland for not settling for being a first round out in the playoffs.

[boomershadow]

I think the Cavs could have used a more knock down 3 like Barnes. Maybe the package they offered wasn't enough or they have plans for Lavert to light it up off the bench.

Exactly what I thought they should've did too.

If LeVert can buy-in on defense and focus more so on the playmaking than the scoring aspect of his game, hopefully he will fit in no problem.

From what I've seen, he can't and he won't lol.

On a good team, Levert is probably best used in a Jamal Crawford role.

[cupcakesnake]

Sure. I value Caris Levert more than the expected return of a late FRP. The argument for the Cavs not making this trade isn't that by itself though. An FRP isn't just the player it results in, it's the value it can increase in a trade. I honestly just wanted the Cavs to re-sign Rubio next year, since he was fitting in so well with Mobley, Allen, and Garland.

They may still sign Rubio in the summer if Sexton is gone. At his age and coming off an injury nobody is gonna throw big money at him.

That's pretty hopeful. They had Rubio's bird rights, meaning they could go over the cap to resign him. They project to be an over the cap team, regardless of Sexton's status. Rubio is 31, making 17m this year, looked very impactful before the injury, and has never been a player who relies on his athleticism (he lost most of it to injury years ago). Now I don't think the market for Rubio will be super crazy, but he's earned a reputation for boosting teams that need a boost. He's going to receive offers for well above the mid-level, which will be all the Cavs can offer Rubio.

I'm not saying it's impossible but it's a very unlikely scenario.

[JujitsuFlip]

I think the Cavs could have used a more knock down 3 like Barnes. Maybe the package they offered wasn't enough or they have plans for Lavert to light it up off the bench.

Exactly what I thought they should've did too.

If LeVert can buy-in on defense and focus more so on the playmaking than the scoring aspect of his game, hopefully he will fit in no problem.

From what I've seen, he can't and he won't lol.

On a good team, Levert is probably best used in a Jamal Crawford role.

Yeah, I'm pretty skeptical that he will be able to do either. If he doesn't he's probably gone this summer is my guess, the latest of this time next season.

Cavs would be wise to hold off on agreeing to any extension with him, even if he fits in like a glove. The injury history is worrisome.

[sisibilio]

Sure. I value Caris Levert more than the expected return of a late FRP. The argument for the Cavs not making this trade isn't that by itself though. An FRP isn't just the player it results in, it's the value it can increase in a trade. I honestly just wanted the Cavs to re-sign Rubio next year, since he was fitting in so well with Mobley, Allen, and Garland.

They may still sign Rubio in the summer if Sexton is gone. At his age and coming off an injury nobody is gonna throw big money at him.

That's pretty hopeful. They had Rubio's bird rights, meaning they could go over the cap to resign him. They project to be an over the cap team, regardless of Sexton's status. Rubio is 31, making 17m this year, looked very impactful before the injury, and has never been a player who relies on his athleticism (he lost most of it to injury years ago). Now I don't think the market for Rubio will be super crazy, but he's earned a reputation for boosting teams that need a boost. He's going to receive offers for well above the mid-level, which will be all the Cavs can offer Rubio.

I'm not saying it's impossible but it's a very unlikely scenario.

We'll see. Rubio seemed to have found his place in Cleveland, and maybe at this stage prioritizes that over getting a couple millions more.

[nikster]

Hate it. We just gave up 4 picks for a low efficiency chucker.

Edit: Okay, three picks and still kept the Spurs' second this year while getting a Miami second back. I don't hate it as much anymore.

Pretty sure you guys will love in.

"low efficiency chucker" label is unfair. He is one of those guys that needs to get into a rhythm, but injuries always get in the way. Him and Allen had terrific chemistry too. Levert is an underrated playmaker.

How's it unfair? This is his 6th season. Is there any stretch of games you can point to in his career where he was "in a rhythm" and played efficiently?

[BoatsNZones]

Hate it. We just gave up 4 picks for a low efficiency chucker.

He is low efficiency because he is playing a lead guard role on a bad team. I think he will fit in with the Cavs, especially considering his previous chemistry with Allen.

I mean he's a career ~52% TS and a sieve defensively. He brings something offensively that the Cavs are lacking right now with Rubio and Sexton out, but it does suck to lose picks for what is effectively a league average player.

It's a C+ level trade imo. Won't move the needle as a player (Rubio is a far better fit unfortunately), but it does address their biggest issue in a time where the East is wide open and they have as good a shot as anyone to steal a conference Finals bid.

[Mind_Odyssey]

Hate it. We just gave up 4 picks for a low efficiency chucker.

He is low efficiency because he is playing a lead guard role on a bad team. I think he will fit in with the Cavs, especially considering his previous chemistry with Allen.

I mean he's a career ~52% TS and a sieve defensively. He brings something offensively that the Cavs are lacking right now with Rubio and Sexton out, but it does suck to lose picks for what is effectively a league average player.

It's a C+ level trade imo.

The only other realistic option was Eric Gordon.

[yoyoboy]

I wonder how much we would have had to give up to get Derrick White in a trade. He was my preferred target.

[BoatsNZones]

He is low efficiency because he is playing a lead guard role on a bad team. I think he will fit in with the Cavs, especially considering his previous chemistry with Allen.

I mean he's a career ~52% TS and a sieve defensively. He brings something offensively that the Cavs are lacking right now with Rubio and Sexton out, but it does suck to lose picks for what is effectively a league average player.

It's a C+ level trade imo.

The only other realistic option was Eric Gordon.

Yeah. And he is much more efficient, but injury prone and getting up there in years. He's also a sieve defensively.

I don't hate this trade for the Cavs to be honest. It's not as if these are lotto picks, and it really does address their biggest need/overall helps their team this season. At least they have the paint defense to shore up some of his blow byes on the perimeter.

[JonFromVA]

Read on Twitter

Can you find a video of Isaac Okoro trying to create his own shot?

[yoyoboy]

Hate it. We just gave up 4 picks for a low efficiency chucker.

He is low efficiency because he is playing a lead guard role on a bad team. I think he will fit in with the Cavs, especially considering his previous chemistry with Allen.

I mean he's a career ~52% TS and a sieve defensively. He brings something offensively that the Cavs are lacking right now with Rubio and Sexton out, but it does suck to lose picks for what is effectively a league average player.

It's a C+ level trade imo. Won't move the needle as a player (Rubio is a far better fit unfortunately), but it does address their biggest issue in a time where the East is wide open and they have as good a shot as anyone to steal a conference Finals bid.

I'm honestly less concerned about his defense. He's been below average on that end over his career, but he's far from terrible. JBB, the Cavs' frontcourt, and a culture that prioritizes effort have made tiny Darius Garland a solid defender. LeVert has significantly better physical tools and he's apparently excited to play for the team. I don't see him being much of a problem on that end.

His shot creation (for himself and our bigs) and ability to score at the rim are desperately needed in this Cavs' offense. Garland, especially since Rubio went down, is getting run into the ground since so much of what the Cavs do is reliant on him. Caris is very good PnR player and the Cavs' offense is predicated on the high PnR so he should fit right in. LeVert is also decent at catch and shoot threes and he shoots 66% at the rim. So as long as he tries to actually fit into the system and shoots less mid range jumpers, I think he can hover around league average efficiency, provide some playmaking and paint pressure, and be decent defensively. All of which would help a ton.

[Mind_Odyssey]

I mean he's a career ~52% TS and a sieve defensively. He brings something offensively that the Cavs are lacking right now with Rubio and Sexton out, but it does suck to lose picks for what is effectively a league average player.

It's a C+ level trade imo.

The only other realistic option was Eric Gordon.

Yeah. And he is much more efficient, but injury prone and getting up there in years. He's also a sieve defensively.

I don't hate this trade for the Cavs to be honest. It's not as if these are lotto picks, and it really does address their biggest need/overall helps their team this season. At least they have the paint defense to shore up some of his blow byes on the perimeter.

Ultimately, the biggest decision JB will make this year is who starts at the other wing spot.

Do you continue to start Mark when he gets healthy or do you keep Okoro for defensive purposes?

[JoeBarryCarol]

I mean you can look at it however you like. As things currently stand, it’s a 3 way tie for 22/23/24th pick + 33rd pick. Pretty damn good haul for Indiana

Seems like fair value to me.

Levert was the 20th pick in the draft and he now should be in the prime of his career in a position Cleveland needs now.

Indiana will probably get a mid-to-late 20's pick and an early-to-mid 30's pick in this coming draft. They probably have a 50/50 chance of drafting a player with those assets who in a few years will be equal or better to Levert.

Hmm statistically speaking I don’t think the chances of getting someone as good as Levert with a mid to late pick and a mid to late 30s pick are anywhere close to 50/50. If that were the case—and you could plan on getting a solid starter with your #27 pick and a 2nd rounder you bought at any time—picks would be far more valuable and team construction would look way different. Don’t have time to look it up but my guess is those odds are at least half that, maybe less.

You could be right - odds might be lower than 50% I honestly don't know but the Pacers did draft him with the 20th pick.

The Pacers either get two rolls of the dice in the 20-35 draft range or maybe they can find someone who will trade down with them and they use those picks to move up or acquire a 2nd year player or something.

Either way, I think the trade was reasonably fair and the Pacers need to rebuild and clearly need future picks rather than LeVert.

[SF_Warriors]

They needed wing depth in the worst way. I dont think this was a bad gamble by them.

[JonFromVA]

This is a short term stop gap for Cleveland. The get a useful player they need at the moment.

If he works out they keep him, if not next season he is a nice expiring contract.

I don't think anyone is going to cal this a home run for the Cavs, but it is a nice single.

Nobody was calling Taruean Prince for Ricky Rubio a homerun for the Cavs either, but the Cavs were blowing a lot of teams out when Ricky, Lauri, and Darius were healthy.

LeVert and Rondo give the Cavs back some of the things Rubio was doing to contribute and perhaps some of the things Sexton would have.

[JonFromVA]

A late first round pick and some 2nds isn’t that good of a package. I doubt they could have gotten much more than lavert.

I think his point was Portland gave away better players for less, so why wasn’t there a Portland/Cleveland trade?

Because the Cavs need another ball handler/secondary creator more than they need a Powell; someone who can take pressure off Garland and act as a primary creator when Garland is off the floor. That is by far the Cavs biggest weakness - the offense tanks when he hits the bench because no one else can create a shot.

Not saying Powell wouldn't fit nicely with the Cavs, but he wouldn't really fill that gaping hole in the way a Levert does.

They also need someone who can do something with the ball in his hands when defenses load up on Garland or slap their defensive stopper on him - something that's going to happen in the playoffs.