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

[LivingLegend]

As a Pacers fan, this is as good as I could have expected. No wonder we even delivered him. Also a clear sign (whew) that we're done with this season.

He's been chucking way too much for us, even when our roster was healthier. Maybe if Cavs manage to rein that in, he can be a good sixth man for them.

Thats what Im hoping. He clearly has talent, Im hoping he just needs to be put in the right enviornment/team/structure to work.

People said Lauri Markenen was horrible at this, that and the other--well when he got here he looked pretty darn impressive in a new system and did a lot of the things people said he was horrible at much better.

[djsunyc]

I don't know, it seems like an overpay for someone who's not worth overpaying.

I don't think it's an overpay, they still have Sexton and can trade him this summer if they need to add more talent, or they can keep him and use him as a 6th man.

sexton can opt out and become a UFA.

[JujitsuFlip]

so if the pistons or spurs throw a crazy deal to sexton (teams that could use him), will the cavs go over to keep him?

The idea should be he will be moved by Thursday.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

I don't know, it seems like an overpay for someone who's not worth overpaying.

I don't think it's an overpay, they still have Sexton and can trade him this summer if they need to add more talent, or they can keep him and use him as a 6th man.

sexton can opt out and become a UFA.

I thought he was restricted?

[djsunyc]

I don't think it's an overpay, they still have Sexton and can trade him this summer if they need to add more talent, or they can keep him and use him as a 6th man.

sexton can opt out and become a UFA.

I thought he was restricted?

you're right, read hoopshype wrong.

[PhilBlackson]

Btw do guys just go across the hall to the other change room for tonight's game against each other?!? LOL

Almost up there with HBarnes being traded mid-game.

[Tor_Raps]

Btw do you guys just go across the hall to the other change room for tonight's game against each other?!? LOL

Almost up there with HBarnes being traded mid-game.

Just realized the Cavs/Pacers are playing each other today lol.

[GunnerWRX]

So LeVert’s value is just a low #1 pick, plus 2 #2 picks - #2 picks can be bought anyways.

It is in line to what I expect, but a bit lower than what the Pacers were looking for a month or so ago.

[evilution]

As a Pacers fan, this is as good as I could have expected. No wonder we even delivered him. Also a clear sign (whew) that we're done with this season.

He's been chucking way too much for us, even when our roster was healthier. Maybe if Cavs manage to rein that in, he can be a good sixth man for them.

Thats what Im hoping. He clearly has talent, Im hoping he just needs to be put in the right enviornment/team/structure to work.

People said Lauri Markenen was horrible at this, that and the other--well when he got here he looked pretty darn impressive in a new system and did a lot of the things people said he was horrible at much better.

I hope this'll work out for you! Carlisle failed - we had too many cases where Sabonis sets a screen, then LeVert tries to climb over two defenders or chucks whatever instead of passing to rolling Domas. They'd end up shooting 7/20 and 7/8 from the field, respectively. Then the injuries started and LeVert decided that he's options #1, 2, 3, and 4.

[evilution]

Btw do guys just go across the hall to the other change room for tonight's game against each other?!? LOL

Almost up there with HBarnes being traded mid-game.

LeVert for sale, free same-day delivery.

[BrianInPhilly]

Cavs are 1 of 3 teams I mainly follow, and I’m really skeptical of this move. Not even about what they gave up. I just don’t even know if giving LaVert minutes over guys like Cedi Osman, Okoro, or Stevens is even a good thing. Those guys all low how to play team ball in the Cavs system - does LaVert?

I’m imagining the defense collapsing on Mobley/Allen posting up and allowing LaVert to shoot threes or jumpers instead. I’m imagining Garland running a pick & roll with Allen or Mobley and LaVert is awkwardly in the corner trying to space the floor. With Okoro & Stevens you can live with their mediocre shooting because on the other end they’re locking up the other teams best guard so Garland doesn’t have to. LaVert can’t do that either.

I’m just struggling to find what actual value he provides to this team. The inky thing I can see is his usefulness when Garland sits but even then he better be breaking down defenses to pass to the bigs for easy looks and not just pulling up for 20 footers.

I hope I’m wrong and he fits in great though.

[Duke4life831]

Im seeing a lot of people saying that LeVert is a good fit for Cleveland. My question is what about him is a good fit?

He is a ball dominant player that isnt a good shooter and is a bad defender. He seems like a horrible fit alongside Garland in that starting lineup. Unless the thought is to have him being a microwave scorer 6th man. If that is the case, that is quite the hefty price tag for a 6th man.

You are pooping all over LeVert in this thread. He isn’t as bad as you claim. He is around league average this year in shooting efficiency for guards. The Cavs desperately needed a 2nd scoring option on the perimeter. He can create his own shot and he is a solid passer. 44% from the field isn’t awful considering his shot selection, but I do wish he were a better 3 point shooter.

LeVert:
eFG%: 49%
TS%: 53%

League average:
eFG%: 52%
TS%: 56%

Only 29% of his 2pt shots are assisted on and only 57% of his 3s are assisted on. Id be fine with the low assisted on numbers if he was a better and more efficient scorer than he is. He can be a good passer, but the issue is a good amount of his 3s comes from him dribbling the air out of the ball then kicking it, that isnt a crazy hard skill set to find. 32% of his shots come after having the ball for 6+ seconds.

Again all of those numbers point to a 6th man microwave scorer. And if that is the role they plan on playing him, that makes sense to me. This isnt me saying LeVert is a bum. I do think he has a role on a team and I think that role can be a 6th man microwave scorer.

The main thing Im saying is him in the starting lineup for the Cavs wont be a good fit and I wouldnt be looking to dish out 1st round picks for 6th man players (not even an elite one). I would much rather bundle up more assets for a better player.

[bisme37]

I don't really trust Levert but I trust Altman. He's been doing a great job so let's see how Caris fits in.

[Mind_Odyssey]

If he takes pressure off of Garland as a ball handler, he’s worth it. We also needed extra scoring.

Garland
Levert
Okoro (really like the trades impact for him)
Mobley
Allen

[Dirk]

I don't really trust Levert but I trust Altman. He's been doing a great job so let's see how Caris fits in.

Let's hope so for jbk's sake.

Subject: LeVert to Cleveland

I cannot convey with words how badly I hope Cleveland's purported interest in LeVert is smoke. Like seriously, I feel it would be bad juju, the basketball gods will hear me, and we'd trade for him.

[F N 11]

I don’t get it for Cavs.

[TheLand13]

I personally don’t mind this move at all for Cleveland. But I’m still very upset at what the clippers were able to get for Powell/Covington. Had I known that was all it would take, I would’ve said screw Levert and would have been all aboard the Powell/Covington train.

To the people pointing out Leverts flaws…what was Wiggins before he was traded from Minnesota to the Warriors? Are we going to sit here and pretend that leverts talents can’t be helpful to Cleveland? He’s not going to solve their problems. As I said before, there were (apparently) better options available before this. Those are gone. We’re not going to get a Gary Trent with the assets we have without giving up one of my young core members. That isn’t happening.

Time will tell if this will work out or not. But either way, it’s a solid low risk move. I’m not worried about giving up a first round for him either. Cavs aren’t bottom of the barrel anymore, I seriously doubt giving up the first rounder will come back to haunt us.

[Roger Murdock]

Im seeing a lot of people saying that LeVert is a good fit for Cleveland. My question is what about him is a good fit?

He is a ball dominant player that isnt a good shooter and is a bad defender. He seems like a horrible fit alongside Garland in that starting lineup. Unless the thought is to have him being a microwave scorer 6th man. If that is the case, that is quite the hefty price tag for a 6th man.

Our biggest weakness, second biggest weakness, third biggest weakess, and forth biggest weakness is that nobody on this team can do anything with the ball except for Garland and he's hurt.

We need scoring. We need ball handling. We need passing. We need somebody to actually make things happen.

He can play 30 minutes a night, playing his own game, and it doesnt take anything away from anyone else on the roster because nobody else on the team can do the things he can do.

Rondo has been playing 20 minutes a night. He should play 0-5. Goodwin has been playing 30 minutes a night, it should be 10-20. Etc.

We have fringe rosterable players taking on enormous scoring/playmaking/ball handling responsiblities because of injuries.

[FreeThrowLine]

Terrible trade for the Pacers, they’re only doing this as he was a risk to win them more games this season. I hate it and to the dirty Cavs of all teams? Those fans don’t deserve a winning team

[sisibilio]

Im seeing a lot of people saying that LeVert is a good fit for Cleveland. My question is what about him is a good fit?

He is a ball dominant player that isnt a good shooter and is a bad defender. He seems like a horrible fit alongside Garland in that starting lineup. Unless the thought is to have him being a microwave scorer 6th man. If that is the case, that is quite the hefty price tag for a 6th man.

You are pooping all over LeVert in this thread. He isn’t as bad as you claim. He is around league average this year in shooting efficiency for guards. The Cavs desperately needed a 2nd scoring option on the perimeter. He can create his own shot and he is a solid passer. 44% from the field isn’t awful considering his shot selection, but I do wish he were a better 3 point shooter.

LeVert:
eFG%: 49%
TS%: 53%

League average:
eFG%: 52%
TS%: 56%

Only 29% of his 2pt shots are assisted on and only 57% of his 3s are assisted on. Id be fine with the low assisted on numbers if he was a better and more efficient scorer than he is. He can be a good passer, but the issue is a good amount of his 3s comes from him dribbling the air out of the ball then kicking it, that isnt a crazy hard skill set to find. 32% of his shots come after having the ball for 6+ seconds.

Again all of those numbers point to a 6th man microwave scorer. And if that is the role they plan on playing him, that makes sense to me. This isnt me saying LeVert is a bum. I do think he has a role on a team and I think that role can be a 6th man microwave scorer.

The main thing Im saying is him in the starting lineup for the Cavs wont be a good fit and I wouldnt be looking to dish out 1st round picks for 6th man players (not even an elite one). I would much rather bundle up more assets for a better player.

I'm guessing they still start Okoro even if he only plays 18-20 mpg