Regrading the Cavaliers trade for Caris LeVert last season

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Caris LeVert and Cedi Osman, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images /

Regrading Cavaliers trade for LeVert: What has worked

Around the league, a number of contending teams looked to offload players who were a poor fit and were playing poorly. From Russell Westbrook to John Wall to Jae Crowder, teams trying to win felt they had to move certain players.

The first and most tangible point in LeVert’s favor is that the Cleveland Cavaliers kept him around. For whatever we say next, they valued his presence on this team now and the possibility to re-signing the pending free agent over whatever he was worth on the trade market.

Caris LeVert has fit right in with this team in the locker room and seems to be a genuine part of the group with perhaps the best chemistry in the entire NBA. If you are ranking teams with the best “vibes” you probably start with the Cavs and end with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 30th.

LeVert’s 3-point shot has been better than in previous stops, as he is hitting 36.4 percent this season from beyond the arc. He has set a new career high in defensive win-shares (by far) and his Defensive Box Plus-Minus (BPM) is tied for his career best. He has bought into his role on defense, and he amicably worked with the coaching staff to move to the bench and has been all-in as a bench weapon this season.