Cavaliers are interested in Caris Levert

[TheLand13]

https://hoopshype.com/2021/12/08/multiple-people-in-cavaliers-organization-fans-of-caris-levert/

There isn't really much to this story yet. All we really know is that Cleveland has members of their front office who are fans of Levert, and that they want him to be part of their team. Indiana apparently wants to go into full on rebuild mode, and that's understandable given their situation (even if they do have some really good talent). Although Sabonis and Turner as well as a few others are also on the table, from Cleveland's perspective, wanting Levert makes a lot of sense. Mobley/Allen is already looking like a ridiculously unfair PF/C duo so why would you bother messing around with that?

With that said, let's just take this trade scenario at face value for a minute and think about the circumstances that are going on right now in regards to Cleveland. First and foremost, none of this is a guarantee. Someone else could just as easily beat Cleveland to the punch. But one of the things we can't deny in regards to Altman and Cleveland is their ability to pull magnificent trades seemingly out of their ass. After all, they were able to get Ricky Rubio by giving up Prince and his contract. They were able to get Andre Drummond for Brandon Knight and some other guy whose name I can't remember for the life of me. I was a big fan of the trade that got us Lauri while giving up Nance Jr (although I am still not a fan of how Lauri has been used, but that's more of a coaching thing). But of course the biggest rabbit they pulled out of the hat was getting Jarrett Allen, while all they really had to give up on their end was Exum. I can't deny that this franchise tends to make boneheaded decisions. But as of late, they've been able to get the job done in regards to trades. There isn't one I can think of recently where they gave up way too much while receiving so little in return.

So I have no doubt in my mind that if they are able to pull off a trade for Caris Levert, then they are not only legitimate contenders within the East, but they have opened the door for future potential title opportunities and have given the Cavaliers their best team since the LeBron James days. You extend Rubio and Garland at that point, and you are set.

Now the question remains: Who do you give up in that trade?

Personally, I think it makes all the sense in the world for Indiana to ask for Collin Sexton. After all, he's out for the season and thus, he doesn't interfere with Daunte's ability to develop as a player, something Sexton would just hinder. And they in no way have to extend him, so they can just let him walk and choose his own path the following season.

Some people are going to suggest throwing Okoro into that deal, but I personally do not agree with this. He still brings the defense that Cleveland needs at the wing position to make them as good as they have been at that end, and right now, they need all the wing depth that they can get. You don't want to be back to square one. The thing is however, Cedi Osman is also showcasing his value for Cleveland this year and making his case as a guy you don't want to get rid of. So at that point, deciding who you trade to get Levert becomes tricky. A Sexton for Levert swap may not be enough. So if you're Cleveland and you manage to find a way to secure the services of Levert, while being able to keep Okoro and Osman, on top of still having Garland, Mobley, Allen, Rubio and Lauri, I simply can't imagine just how good this Cavaliers team would be.

So, if you're Cleveland, who do you give up?

[MotownMadness]

Not sure what part of their core would go. Obviously Sexton but I'm assuming there would be some 1st rounders heading out.

[yoyoboy]

Levert is always injured, can’t defend, and can’t shoot. I really hope we don’t trade for him. He also has a higher usage rate than anyone else on our team, and considering we’re playing well, I don’t want to bring in someone like that.

[JujitsuFlip]

Cavs do not have enough mid tier contracts, I would say just leave it. If he is still available at the trade deadline offer Love as the salary, otherwise keep it moving. Cavs should try to obtain Harrison Barnes at the trade deadline.

[DroseReturnChi]

sexton for levert? injured for injured.

[Pantsman]

I don’t think he makes a difference. And the cavs would have to give up too much to even make the salaries work.

[Pantsman]

Levert is always injured, can’t defend, and can’t shoot. I really hope we don’t trade for him. He also has a higher usage rate than anyone else on our team, and considering we’re playing well, I don’t want to bring in someone like that.

He might not be a defender but he can shoot

[yoyoboy]

Levert is always injured, can’t defend, and can’t shoot. I really hope we don’t trade for him. He also has a higher usage rate than anyone else on our team, and considering we’re playing well, I don’t want to bring in someone like that.

He might not be a defender but he can shoot

He’s a career 33% 3P shooter and he’s shooting 26.5% from 3 this year. We clearly have very different definitions of shooting.

[TheLand13]

Levert is always injured, can’t defend, and can’t shoot. I really hope we don’t trade for him. He also has a higher usage rate than anyone else on our team, and considering we’re playing well, I don’t want to bring in someone like that.

Levert has had seasons where he's averaged 36% from 3. Can't shoot? I don't buy that for a second. I do agree that his off ball play would have to be better, and he's never been great in that regard. But I'll gladly take that over Sexton. At least he can be a more impactful defender. And whatever gets us away from having Lauri start at SF is a win in my book.

He’s a career 33% 3P shooter and he’s shooting 26.5% from 3 this year. We clearly have very different definitions of shooting.

He was injured coming into the season, didn't get to participate in training camp or anything of the sort. People will normally have poor shooting performances to start out the season in those circumstances. The same thing happened with Okoro.

[yoyoboy]

Levert has had seasons where he's averaged 36% from 3. Can't shoot? I don't buy that for a second. I do agree that his off ball play would have to be better, and he's never been great in that regard. But I'll gladly take that over Sexton. At least he can be a more impactful defender. And whatever gets us away from having Lauri start at SF is a win in my book.

He has exactly ONE season out of six where he averaged 36% from 3 lol. Not seasons. Hoping he’ll just turn into a better defender after being bad throughout his career isn’t very promising. Lauri is a better shooter and even a better defender at the 3 than Levert would be, and I think you need to take a better look at the lineup data. He’s been just fine in that role. If there’s any issue, it’s starting Okoro who tanks our offense, but I’m not gonna bother getting in an argument about that because I know Cavs fans on here love Okoro and won’t be convinced otherwise.

He was injured coming into the season, didn't get to participate in training camp or anything of the sort. People will normally have poor shooting performances to start out the season in those circumstances. The same thing happened with Okoro.

You’re ignoring the fact that he’s 33% for his career. That’s a big sample size of not being a good shooter. That’s great he didn’t participate in all that, but him shooting poorly isn’t some new thing. Also, using Okoro as a comparison doesn’t help your argument considering I see him as the biggest issue in this team’s rotation right now and a dude who’s so far away from being a capable shooter.

[LivingLegend]

Nope. The Cavs would have to part with one of either Rubio/Lauri/Love to make this happen and Im not interested in moving any of those 3 for Levert.

Would much rather wait for a player like Barnes/Gordon for the super cheap at the deadline.

[Duke4life831]

Man I hope the Cavs don’t start screwing this up. Save your assets for an actual legit wing talent.

If I’m the Cavs I’m looking at Mobley and Garland as the two main building blocks. I would look at Allen as that trading piece I’m willing to use if that ideal #3 option comes around. Either than that, I’m more than happy keeping that trio.

Right now I would still be in asset collection with the hopes of building up enough assets to make that move for that 3rd guy. I’m not wasting assets on a guy like LeVert. And I’d be very comfortable with sitting back with the natural progression of the current trio and waiting for that ideal trade.

[TinmanZBoy]

Cavs become the new Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie and KD will follow joining in

[Bobbymcgee]

Sexton and Love for Turner and Levert.

Cavs starting five:
Turner
Mobley
Allen
Garland
Markkanen

[cavsfanatic]

Sexton and Love for Turner and Levert.

Cavs starting five:
Turner
Mobley
Allen
Garland
Markkanen

Turner
Mobley
Allen
Tacko
Markkanen

[Catchall]

If I were the Cavs, I'd offer Osman, Okoro and a future pick swap. See where that gets me. I'm not super high on Levert.

[LivingLegend]

If I were the Cavs, I'd offer Osman, Okoro and a future pick swap. See where that gets me. I'm not super high on Levert.

The problem is that Cedi is balling this year--any package the Cavs would have to make to get LeVert would probably be a overpay for a guy who is shooting abysmally, is constantly injured and carries a inflated contract.

Just wait until the deadline when teams are looking to just dump guys, dont overpay now for a player you can get similar production from in 1.5 months for 1/2 the cost.

[TheLand13]

Man I hope the Cavs don’t start screwing this up. Save your assets for an actual legit wing talent.

If I’m the Cavs I’m looking at Mobley and Garland as the two main building blocks. I would look at Allen as that trading piece I’m willing to use if that ideal #3 option comes around.

That would be the worst possible direction they could go. Allen has been just as instrumental to the Cavaliers success as Garland and Mobley are. Trading him, regardless of who they manage to get back, would already be screwing things up.

[TheLand13]

Levert has had seasons where he's averaged 36% from 3. Can't shoot? I don't buy that for a second. I do agree that his off ball play would have to be better, and he's never been great in that regard. But I'll gladly take that over Sexton. At least he can be a more impactful defender. And whatever gets us away from having Lauri start at SF is a win in my book.

He has exactly ONE season out of six where he averaged 36% from 3 lol. Not seasons. Hoping he’ll just turn into a better defender after being bad throughout his career isn’t very promising. Lauri is a better shooter and even a better defender at the 3 than Levert would be, and I think you need to take a better look at the lineup data. He’s been just fine in that role. If there’s any issue, it’s starting Okoro who tanks our offense, but I’m not gonna bother getting in an argument about that because I know Cavs fans on here love Okoro and won’t be convinced otherwise.

He was injured coming into the season, didn't get to participate in training camp or anything of the sort. People will normally have poor shooting performances to start out the season in those circumstances. The same thing happened with Okoro.

You’re ignoring the fact that he’s 33% for his career. That’s a big sample size of not being a good shooter. That’s great he didn’t participate in all that, but him shooting poorly isn’t some new thing. Also, using Okoro as a comparison doesn’t help your argument considering I see him as the biggest issue in this team’s rotation right now and a dude who’s so far away from being a capable shooter.

I'm using Okoro as an example because he's shooting significantly worse than he was last season. And in my opinion, him not being able to participate in training camp and having a late start to the season has a lot to do with it. So it's not a poor example at all. If anything, it perfectly demonstrates just how much of an impact that can have on your game.

[JoeBarryCarol]

Man I hope the Cavs don’t start screwing this up. Save your assets for an actual legit wing talent.

If I’m the Cavs I’m looking at Mobley and Garland as the two main building blocks. I would look at Allen as that trading piece I’m willing to use if that ideal #3 option comes around. Either than that, I’m more than happy keeping that trio.

Right now I would still be in asset collection with the hopes of building up enough assets to make that move for that 3rd guy. I’m not wasting assets on a guy like LeVert. And I’d be very comfortable with sitting back with the natural progression of the current trio and waiting for that ideal trade.

I agree on Cleveland saving their assets for a difference making wing.

I don't agree at all that they should trade Allen. I would guess you haven't seen the Cavs play much this year since Allan has been on fire and they are so much better with him on the court. He's as core as it comes for them and their strength is having 3-4 legit bigs (Mobley, Allen, Markannen and kind of Kevin Love who is playing very well in that system right now). That big line-up with 2-3 bigs out there all the time is giving other teams fits.