4 Signings Cleveland Cavaliers will regret come January
By Tyler Watts
2. Caris LeVert
The Cavaliers struggled to settle on a fifth starter last season. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen were locks whenever they played, but J.B. Bickerstaff tried multiple options around them. It was LeVert to start the year, but he slid into a sixth-man role for most of the season before starting the final three playoff games.
The result was a decline in counting stats from LeVert, but the most efficient season of his career.
Cleveland re-signed him to a two-year $32 million contract this offseason but brought in some competition on the wing. It will likely be an open audition during training camp between LeVert, Max Strus, and Isaac Okoro for the final starting spot.
LeVert is 6’6 and offers some ancillary playmaking and rebounding. He fits best as the sixth man because of his ability to score, but an impressive training camp could push him into the opening and closing groups.
Cavs fans know what to expect from Caris LeVert. He had a negative net rating and has produced below-average win shares per 48 minutes in each of his first seven seasons. His jump shooting improved last year, but his career mark is 34.4 percent. LeVert can provide instant offense and not much else.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will regret re-signing LeVert because they won’t be able to trade him, and his production will leave plenty to be desired.