Surging Six: These Cavs are playing great heading into All-Star break

Cavs recent standout No. 6: Caris LeVert

Last but not least, Caris LeVert deserves some love for his recent play for the Cavaliers. As he’s settled into a bench role, he’s helped the team more consistently.

Sure, there’s some off nights for LeVert in the scoring sense, still, and in his last 12 appearances, he’s posted 9.2 points per contest. In that stretch, he’s shot 33.3 percent from three, and has shot 37.3 percent overall.

On the plus side, LeVert has bought into aiding the group with solid defense, making multiple-effort plays regularly, and his passing has given the Cavaliers a lift. In that 12-game span, he’s put up 5.0 assists per contest, to 1.5 turnovers.

Even with his offensive output not being nearly what it was with previous teams, LeVert has contributed in other ways for Cleveland, and in this latest chunk of games, that has especially jumped out. He’s gotten his hands in passing lanes, disrupted opponents’ driving rhythm, and his secondary playmaking and transition play has given the Cavs a jolt.

It seemed to be a legit possibility that LeVert, who is an expiring player, could be moved at the trade deadline, and there’s still some questions about him come the postseason with these Cavaliers.

But LeVert was not ultimately moved, and the team could seemingly re-sign LeVert in the offseason. Time will tell on that front, however, he has fared better as the season has worn on than I would’ve anticipated.