3 teams that could trade Cavaliers for Caris LeVert

Cavaliers’ trade partners for Caris LeVert: Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have decided what their lane is and stayed firmly in it. Luka Doncic is an MVP candidate putting up historic numbers as the high-gravity center of a heliocentric offense. The Mavericks are so committed to running everything through Doncic that they didn’t even sign a third point guard until well after the season began (Kemba Walker) and they just cut him!

The Mavericks are a natural suitor for Caris LeVert because he can immediately help them on-ball without them giving up their desire for size. He can fill a similar role on the Mavs as he is on the Cavs, coming off the bench to play some minutes alongside an on-ball star. The difference is that he will be frequently called upon to run the second-team offense himself, while in Cleveland either Donovan Mitchell or Darius Garland is on the court at all times.

The other reason the Mavericks make sense is that they have a lot of midsize salaries that they can trade. LeVert makes $18.7 million this season, a number the Mavericks can match by trading varying combinations of Tim Hardaway Jr., Dwight Powell, Reggie Bullock and JaVale McGee.

Would the Cavaliers make a trade to send LeVert to the Mavericks? Perhaps, but probably for a cost the Mavs are unwilling to pay. LeVert is not a great fit on the Cavs, but he’s also a very talented player who helps them out now as a title contender. Trading him for shakier wings could make for a better fit and a much worse player.

Unless the offer bowls them over, or they include Josh Green, this one seems unlikely.