The Cleveland Cavaliers signal their intent to compete for the Eastern Conference title with the acquisition of Caris LeVert; Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle says LeVert could be the ideal man to help the Cavs achieve their aspirations
Monday 7 February 2022 18:18, UK
The Cleveland Cavaliers' acquisition of Caris LeVert is a move that can send the team right to the top in the Eastern Conference, according to the head coach he's leaving behind, Rick Carlisle.
Indiana coach Carlisle described LeVert as a "first-class professional" and "tremendous player" after the Pacers and Cavs agreed terms on a deal.
The Cavs are sending injured point guard Ricky Rubio and his expiring $17.8 million contract, a lottery protected first-round draft pick in 2022 and two second-round picks to the Pacers for LeVert.
After winning just 22 games in the previous campaign, Cleveland have moved into playoff position and believe they can win the Eastern Conference title. They've been aggressively shopping for more backcourt help and a wing player after losing guard Collin Sexton, as well as Rubio, to a season-ending injury.
LeVert, who is excited to be returning to his native Ohio, has averaged 18.7 points and 4.4 assists for the disappointing Pacers, who are 19-35.
And Carlisle thinks that LeVert, who scored 42 points on Friday night against Chicago, is exactly the type of player Cleveland need to send them over the top.
"Cleveland is in a great position, and adding a guy like Caris LeVert very well could push them to the top," Carlisle said. "Caris has been a tremendous young man to work with here.
"Caris LeVert is a dynamic player. He's been a consistent player, producer, loves to play the game, plays with joy, passion, enthusiasm, his team-mates love him, so Cleveland has picked up a heck of player.
"That was in evidence in the Chicago game where he goes for 42 and a bunch of assists and just played a tremendous overall game.
"He's a very special person and a very special player. First-class human being, first-class professional, tremendous player and a guy that I'm going to miss working with every day."
LeVert watched as his old team took on his new one on Sunday night and got a sense of what he's joining as the Cavs fell behind by 20 to the Pacers before staging their biggest rally this season for a 98-85 win.
Sunday's victory means the Cavaliers are now just one game behind the Miami Heat at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. It's been a stunning ascent for a young Cleveland team that wasn't expected to do much this season but has overcome injuries and developed quickly.
"He can help put the ball in the hole," said Cavs guard Rajon Rondo, a two-time NBA champion "He can erupt for 40 or 50 a night."
"Guys understand this is a really good team and don't take this opportunity for granted. We've got a chance to do something special."
The league's trading deadline is Thursday, and it's not out of the question that the Cavs and Pacers may each make another move. In the short-term, the LeVert deal is a potential season-changer for Cleveland.
The trade was completed about 90 minutes before the Cavs and Pacers tipped off. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle confirmed the agreement during his pregame news conference, which was slightly delayed so he could tell LeVert he'd been moved.
"Before the deal was consummated I had Caris in my office here in the arena and Chad Buchanan, our general manager, was on speaker with me in the room [and] Caris in the room," said Carlisle.
"Before Cleveland had agreed to the final terms of the deal, we talked to him about the fact that this thing was at the one-yard line and it was likely going to happen. We have a very unique situation with our franchise, an agreement between our front office and our players that if a deal like this gets close that they will talk to the player and let them know, so he doesn't see it on social media or something like that.
"Chad and I had that conversation with Caris and he was appreciative. This is one of the tough things about this business. Change can be dynamic and it can be sudden. It can bring some pause in terms of the emotions about how you feel about people and so forth.
"We wish him well here, and from here we're putting together a path forward that is going to be a little bit different, obviously after today and tonight. Excited for him and that's where we are."
LeVert will likely slide into the starting backcourt alongside All-Star Darius Garland, who has been slowed by a sore lower back lately. He'll also give coach J.B. Bickerstaff another scoring option and a perimeter player capable of driving to the rim - something the Cavs have long needed.
"He and Garland in the backcourt is really dynamic," Carlisle added. "These guys have improved a great deal today."
After losing Rubio to a season-ending knee injury, the Cavs acquired Rondo but have always had their eyes on LeVert, a proven scorer and playmaker. LeVert signed a three-year, $52 million contract with Brooklyn in 2020.
While he's been the subject of trade rumours for weeks, LeVert arrived for Sunday's game unaware the he would soon be changing jerseys, taking a huge jump in the standings and likely headed to the playoffs.
In Cleveland, LeVert will be reunited with former Brooklyn teammate Jarrett Allen, who has developed into one of the league's best young centers since being acquired in the deal that sent James Harden from Houston to the Nets. LeVert was also part of that trade.
This deal signals that the Pacers appear to be in the early stages of a major roster overhaul. Forwards Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner could possibly move in the days ahead.
"This is league is a business," Pacers forward Justin Holiday said, "and right now it's that time."
