Caris LeVert was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers shortly before the trade deadline. Since he’s been with the team, he’s only started one game for Cleveland even though he had been a regular starter for previous teams he’s played for, including his last team the Indiana Pacers.
The Cavs have indicated that they wanted to give LeVert time to get used to the team and give the squad a chance to try out a few various rotations with LeVert. With that time to observe and gather tape, it’s time for the Cavaliers to go ahead and insert him in the starting rotation. Who he replaces in that starting group is still up for some debate, but with Cavs big man Lauri Markkanen seemingly on track to return soon from injury, LeVert would likely replace Cavs wing Isaac Okoro.
The starting five of LeVert, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Markkanen would be the most likely group.
There are several reasons that this would make the most sense to start LeVert, none bigger than him being a better offensive threat for the team. He’s also had years of experience as a starter and starting him now would only make the bench players even stronger, especially with players like Okoro and Cavs forward Dean Wade providing solid defense.
The Cavs have the luxury at this point in the season where they are sitting near the top of the Eastern Conference standings to try a few things out and make a couple of tweaks too. If LeVert doesn’t produce like he was in Indiana before the trade, then the team can go back to Okoro in that starting five.
However, that likely won’t happen once LeVert gets a chance to start more regularly. With that, let’s go a bit deeper into why LeVert starting would be a good decision by the team, starting with the first reason he should be regularly in that role.