‘Good’ vs. ‘Bad’ Caris LeVert, and why it’s not so simple for Cavs wing

By now, many Cleveland Cavaliers fans are out on Caris LeVert. The overwhelming majority it appears believe he’s fallen way short of expectations since he was acquired via trade from the Indiana Pacers near the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline.

It’s understandable where they’re coming from, as LeVert wasn’t able to have nearly the impact many thought he would in the closing stretch of last season. A foot injury didn’t help LeVert’s case, in fairness, and one had to be objective, either way, as he was in a new situation mid-season, and the Cavs had other injuries, too.

As for what’s played out this season for LeVert, it’s been something of an underwhelming season offensively. He was inconsistent beginning the season starting at the 3, was then moved to mostly the bench, in what was mutually agreed upon, and has fared better seemingly, but has still had some up-and-down play.

For the year overall, LeVert has had 11.7 points per outing on a true shooting rate of 52.4 percent. He’s connected on 37.2 percent of his 4.2 three-point attempts per contest, which has tied a career-best hit rate. From two-point range, he’s shot 44.6 percent, which has been the other side of the coin, a career-low.

As we were alluding to earlier, LeVert has his detractors among Cavaliers fans. Having said that, many do seem to be writing off how LeVert has been playing better of late, and for much of the season, has been contributing in multiple ways, otherwise.

The “Good” vs. “Bad” LeVert argument is straightforward for plenty of Cavs fans, but it’s not as simple as the scoring splits.

Tons of Cavs fans are going to die on “LeVert stinks” hill. They’re entitled to their opinion, as everyone is. So be it.

It’s reasonable to question about his viability come playoff time with the Cavaliers, too, and/or whether or not the currently expiring LeVert could be a long-term piece for this team. Given what he might demand in free agency, and with others involved, it might be unrealistic for LeVert to be re-signed.

All of that aside, LeVert has been affecting games on both ends in recent weeks for Cleveland, as he has often throughout the season. Of course, the scoring doesn’t pop out, as in the past 10 outings, he had averaged 8.4 points in 27.7 minutes per game prior to the game at the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night. LeVert had 22 points and connected on four triples, to go with dishing out seven assists in Cleveland’s big win then, as an aside.

Despite the inconsistent scoring, either way, he had 3.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds over that prior 10 outings before that last one, to go with 0.9 steals, and LeVert’s connective passing shouldn’t go unnoticed in his time on the floor. His activity defensively shouldn’t either, and in post-All-Star play (nine games), he’s posted 2.1 deflections per game, per NBA.com’s hustle data; on the year, that clip has been 1.8 per contest. He tallied four steals on Tuesday as well, albeit a Hornets team that is banged up and without LaMelo Ball, for instance.

Still, the two-way impact from LeVert has been apparent. Among Cavaliers in the last 15 games, LeVert has had the best net rating of plus-10.7 as well, while having an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.67.

So, regarding the LeVert Debate, while many will point to the scoring inconsistencies, and point out the lowlights, it’s not as simple as that aspect. LeVert has come up with some quality finishes in key times, has been a meaningful passer, more effective off-ball than I would’ve expected, and his defense has given the team energy.

Whether he can be a player the Cavs can rely upon for extended stretches in the postseason is another question, along with whether he’ll be a long-term piece. But for now, the dude does deserve some credit for his playmaking, defense, supplemental rebounding and effort plays.