The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Wing Caris LeVert in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, the Cavaliers announced Monday.
Cleveland is sending Ricky Rubio, a lottery-protected first-round pick, a second-round pick over Houston and a second-round pick over Utah to the Pacers in exchange for LeVert and a second-round pick originally from Miami.
Rubio fails with a cracked ACL. His Contract expires after this Season. After the campaign, LeVert has one more year to negotiate.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed LeVert was on his way to the Cavaliers before Indiana’s game against them on Sunday in Cleveland.
“Cleveland is in a great position, and a guy like Caris LeVert could very well put you on top,” Carlisle said, according to Tom Withers of the Associated Press.
“Caris was a great young man to work with here,” Carlisle continued. “He is a first-class man, a first-class professional and a great player. I’m going to miss him.”
LeVert gives the Cavaliers another proven scoring browbeat to complement budding star guard Darius Garland, dynamic rookie Evan Mobley and center Jarrett Allen, among others. With Cleveland currently sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 32:21 remaining, levert’s addition could prove to be a significant win – now for general manager Koby Altman.
Meanwhile, accepting Rubio’s expiring contract and acquiring Picks gives the Pacers financial flexibility and significant future assets that should help speed their rebuilding. Indiana’s other top players, including Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, have also been featured in trade talks this season, and the team could reschedule them before the 3:00 p.m. ET trading deadline on Feb. 10.
LeVert, 27, is averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 39 appearances this season. He has suffered more than his fair share of setbacks during his career, including kidney cancer and a stress fracture in his back.
The Cavs are also temporarily avoiding the luxury tax after the trade, but you have to decide whether or not to pay restricted Free Agent guard Collin genderton this offseason.