3 reasons Caris LeVert needs to remain in Cavaliers bench role

The Cleveland Cavaliers have started wing Caris LeVert for much of the season but in their double-overtime win against the Charlotte Hornets 132-122, LeVert came off the bench for the first time this season.

The move didn’t work out well for LeVert or his replacement Lamar Stevens as both only combined for seven points in 58 minutes of playing time. The move of LeVert to the bench has been in the works for a bit it seems as LeVert has struggled in the starting role. While he’s had his share of good moments, including a 41-point outburst against the Boston Celtics in October, he’s been inconsistent with his production for much of the season.

Cleveland has been having issues this season as well with the bench production. In Cleveland’s five-game losing streak the Cavaliers bench had been outscored in every game. Fortunately, LeVert can score baskets and moving him to a reserved role may be a good decision by the team.

With that in mind, here, we’ll touch on three reasons why LeVert should remain in that Cavaliers bench role looking onward.

The first is for health reasons.

Reason No. 1: To maintain his durability

When you go back and look at LeVert’s career, you don’t see a very durable player, one that has been able to make it through NBA seasons without missing much time due to injuries. If the Cavs want to keep him healthier, then bringing him off the bench may be the best move for the rest of the season.

Back during the 2017-18 season, when LeVert was a member of the Brooklyn Nets, he made it through 71 games and was primarily a bench player. He’s never come close to that high mark since. Every season it seems something sidelines him, and in most other seasons, he has only made it through 40 to 50 games on average.

So, while he may provide a team some advantages because of his offense, his absences wouldn’t be helpful in the end. Last season, after the Cavaliers traded for LeVert from the Indiana Pacers, LeVert got hurt after only four games and then missed the next nine games, which played into inconsistent play. Before he was traded and was still with the Pacers, he opened the season with an injury and was inactive.

The Cavaliers have already played LeVert a lot this year where’s he’s had 11 games where he’s had more than 30 minutes on the court. He’s also had two plus 40-minute games.

While’s an added offensive threat, playing him so much and still so early in the year just seems to go against what is best for the player and ultimately the team.