Regrading the Cavaliers-Pacers Caris LeVert trade

Way back during the trade deadline, the Cleveland Cavaliers were preparing to build upon an already solid roster, featuring All-Stars Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. On Feb. 7, the Cavaliers decided to make a trade with the Indiana Pacers, sending an injured Ricky Rubio (his expiring contract that was), the Cavs’ 2022 lottery-protected first-round pick, and two second-round picks to Indiana for Caris LeVert and a second-round pick.

At the time, the deal made sense for both sides. The Cavaliers had a record of 33-21 then. Ricky Rubio would not play for the rest of the season because of an ACL injury he had in December, and the first-round pick seemed like it would be around the 20’s. For Indiana, they were starting a rebuild, and later traded former two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis for a younger rising star in Tyrese Haliburton. Getting any draft capital at all would be considered a success for Indiana.

However, the Cavaliers had a bit of a slide in the standings and eventually fell out of the playoffs, losing two play-in games in a row to do so. This meant that the first-round pick that Cleveland sent over to Indiana will convey to Cleveland, since it is lottery-protected and the Cavs are in the lottery. The first-round pick will now be going to Indiana in 2023, if it is outside the lottery. If Cleveland is in the lottery again in 2023, the Pacers will receive the Cavs’ 2025 second-round pick and the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2026 second-round pick.

We also have to mention LeVert’s games for Cleveland as well. In 19 games for Cleveland, LeVert averaged 13.6 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. These numbers are solid, but they are not as good as his numbers in Indiana, as this season for the Pacers he averaged 18.7 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds. His assists and rebounds are up a bit more, but not by too much.

However, he shot the ball less a bit less efficiently, shooting about 1% worse from the field and 3 in Cleveland. His lack of scoring on a Cleveland team where he was the main scoring guard on the roster is a bit worrisome, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt considering he had to get adjusted to a new system, new coaching staff, and new teammates very quickly.

The two second-round picks that Indiana collected are the 2022 Houston Rockets’ second-rounder, which will be placed 31st overall, as Houston had the worst record in the NBA this season. The other second-round pick will be from the Utah Jazz in 2027, which may be a solid pick depending on their future roster. Cleveland also acquired a second-round pick in this trade, which is a 2022 second-rounder from the Miami Heat, which will be placed 58th (though two picks shortly before were forfeited, so that’s 56th).

LeVert recently said this on the thought of re-signing with Cleveland, via Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

"‘This is where I want to be,” LeVert said when the topic of his future came up Saturday afternoon during an end-of-season Zoom call. “They know that. The front office knows that. My teammates know that. I don’t know what’s going to happen with that contract extension, but I know where my heart is, I know where I want to be. We’ll see what happens going forward.”’"

LeVert also says that he will be better next season, so expect him to be training harder this summer and being more aggressive next year.

Now, to grade the trade.

Indiana – A

An A grade for Indiana seems fair. You practically get two first-round picks, one being right outside of the first round at the 31st pick, and a first-round pick next year, assuming Cleveland makes the playoffs next year, which they should. Now, if you remember, they got Caris LeVert by just trading away a disgruntled player. You basically traded away Victor Oladipo for two first-round picks, which is a good return for a player of his caliber. The 2022 NBA Draft is a very good draft, so chances are, the Pacers will be able to pick up a very solid player in the second round.

Cleveland – B+

As much as Caris LeVert did not play as well as I was hoping he would, he is still an upgrade over Ricky Rubio, considering he did not even play after December. The Rockets’ second-round pick would be nice to have for Cleveland, but the Cavaliers are not looking to rebuild, they are looking to add on to their roster and compete highly next year. A B+ for the Cavs is still a great grade, even if LeVert did not play as well in Cleveland as he did in Indiana.

If either team had the ability to go back in time to change this trade, I think Indiana would have tried to have had the protection on the Cavs’ first-round pick lesser, so the Pacers would be able to get the pick. If Cleveland could go back in time, I think they still would make this trade the same.

Caris LeVert should be a better player next season, and it seems like he wants to be in Cleveland long term.