The couple of days after the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Game 5 106-95 loss to the New York Knicks, numerous members of the Cavaliers organization sat in front of the media to discuss the future of the team. Questions swirled around trades, coaching, and player perspectives.
One player in particular was the subject of free agency discussions. A Columbus native, Caris LeVert, returned to his home state after a trade in February 2022 between the Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers that sent Ricky Rubio’s expiring contract and a protected first-round pick to the Pacers.
LeVert was first brought to Cleveland to serve the same role that Donovan Mitchell later took, a secondary guard to play next to rising star Darius Garland.
In his career, he has yet to have an opportunity to prove himself, first learning as a young player only to be sidelined with a cancer diagnosis that would keep him from playing for an extended period of time. LeVert, determined to return to basketball, received the necessary medical attention and came back to the league.
His contract ends this summer, and he will enter unrestricted free agency and be able to choose his next destination.
When reporters asked Caris LeVert if he wanted to return to Cleveland this summer, this was his response.
#Cavs Caris LeVert -- a free agent this offseason -- when asked if he wants to be back with Cleveland: "Absolutely."
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) April 27, 2023
Since then, LeVert has been in and out of the starting lineup, eventually assuming the sixth man role in Cleveland over the regular season. In the first round against the New York Knicks, LeVert eventually returned to the starting five as the Cavs attempted to find an answer to the Knicks.
In short, his time with the Cavaliers has been full of experimentation at no fault of his own. The inconsistency at the starting wing position was the lingering question and most apparent weak point for the Cavs rotation all year.
Although the Cavs season was cut short in disappointing fashion, both the organization and LeVert appear to be on the same page, barring a catastrophic negotiation.
As #Cavs swingman Caris LeVert wraps things up, he's said that Cleveland's front office and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff have both expressed a desire to bring him back on long-term.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) April 27, 2023
LeVert said now it's up to his agent and the front office to figure out the right deal.
Why should Cleveland bring back a player who could not be the answer at the three? Is it a waste of money as the team’s cap sheet continues to grow more and more expensive?
The Cavaliers need to find the right deal to bring LeVert back on a long term deal.
Firstly, he is the ideal bench leader.