Redrafting the 2016 NBA Draft

Caris LeVert has battled severe injuries and health scares to arrive at this current moment. He’s the presumed fifth starter for a Cleveland team positioned to contend in the Eastern Conference. There have been flashes of potential stardom along the way, but at 28 years old, it’s probably time to adjust expectations and accept reality.

LeVert is a brilliant, if deeply flawed offensive player. He’s a long, shifty athlete who has no trouble creating for himself off the dribble. He can throw just about everything at his defender: hesitations, spin moves, stutter steps, crossovers, you name it. There aren’t many wing-sized players who can handle the ball and manipulate a defender like LeVert.

It can be mesmerizing to watch LeVert snake his way through the defense, confidently springing into his beautiful high-arcing jumper after pulling off a series of moves you can’t fully wrap your head around. Like Buddy Hield, however, LeVert plays mostly one note. He doesn’t defend all that well, nor does he possess a point guard’s eye for teammates. That said, LeVert plays his note with a scrumptious timbre.

LeVert’s ability to self-create gives him an undeniable edge when determining this re-draft. NBA teams need players who can turn nothing into something when the offense stalls. LeVert is particularly useful late in games — the rare non-star who demands defensive resources and recognition. He’s making difficult shots and supplying 15-20 points per game.