NBA Rumors: Cavaliers Wing A Hot Commodity With 5 Suitors On Trade Market
The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for a 3-and-D upgrade on the trade market. But according to a new report, to get the impact player they want, they'll likely have to give up scoring wing Caris LeVert.
So far everyone from the (Detroit) Pistons to the (Charlotte) Hornets to the (Los Angeles) Clippers and (Utah) Jazz has expressed an interest in LeVert. And yes, even the Los Angeles Lakers have kicked around the idea of a LeVert trade in their scanning of rival rosters in their search for more help, sources told Hoops Wire. (In fact, it’s been said that LeVert is a favorite of LeBron James.)
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Amico is hearing that LeVert can be had for the right price, and those five teams, at least, are inquiring.
And while the Clippers and Lakers are interested in the 28-year-old to fortify their offensive options, the rebuilding Pistons, Hornets and Jazz would likely only be interested in the impending free agent to get off some longer-term money.
LeVert is on an expiring $18.8M contract, and while it would be tough for Cleveland to give up his 12.7 points per game, he's likely their best pathway to acquire the wing floor spacer and defender they're looking for.
Ironically, LeVert is having the best three-point shooting season of his career, hitting at a 37.9% clip, but that's well above his norm, which is about 33%, and probably the reason why he isn't able to stretch the opponents' defense as much as the Cavs would like.
The fact that LeVert plays 30.8 minutes per game, means Cleveland would have to replace a huge chunk of their regular rotation, so as one of Amico's sources pointed out, “If you’re going to do that (this far into) the season, you’d better be sure the new guy is an obvious upgrade."
Which is why, he summarizes, "the Cavs are far from determined to trade him."
Photo: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
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