Cavs’ approach with these 2 players early on next year will be telling

#2: Caris LeVert

Secondly, it’ll be intriguing to see the Cavs’ approach with Caris LeVert early on next season. LeVert wasn’t establish to really establish a rhythm in his regular season play with Cleveland following his trade acquisition near the past deadline from the Indiana Pacers, and had 13.6 points per game in 19 outings then.

That was alright on the surface, but LeVert just didn’t seem the impact game-to-game that one might have been expecting, as that 2/3 key perimeter scorer. The Cavaliers were in dire need of that to take some pressure off of Garland, and there were some instances where LeVert did so; it just wasn’t nearly to the extent one would’ve thought.

Of course, I give him some slack, given that LeVert missed the first nine games post-All-Star break due to a foot sprain. That didn’t exactly help.

And I give LeVert his due for the playmaking aspect, as he had a respectable 3.9 assists per game in that span post-trade, and for his career with the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana, he’s had 4.0 assists per contest. I personally could foresee LeVert being more impactful as a playmaker next season, if given the opportunities, too, as opposed to as a wing scorer.

However, with LeVert, it’ll again be telling to see how he does early on next year and Cleveland’s approach with his role when he’s in there, whether that’s in a starting or, as I’d more so expect, a bench contributor.

If he’s back and/or signed long term, does Collin Sexton play his share of stretches with LeVert, with LeVert more so as the primary playmaker? Does LeVert start with Garland? I’d prefer and more so believe it’d be the former, but if Cleveland makes a backup lead guard signing or drafts one, it’s tough to say how the dynamic is involving LeVert, in my opinion, with others in the fold.

Now, LeVert is set to be extension-eligible this offseason, so perhaps he could be signed long term. I have my questions about that, though, given his injury history, and lifetime, he’s only a 33.3 percent three-point shooter, and he’s not been necessarily a reliable catch-and-shoot player.

So with what we’ve touched on in mind, it’s understandable that LeVert, who will turn 28 in August, has seemingly often been a suggested trade piece, with his expiring deal currently.

We could potentially see LeVert dealt during the offseason it appears, but if not, it’s safe to say their approach with him early next season will be telling as well, similarly to what demonstrated in regards to Okoro.