3 Cavs role players who need to step up before the NBA Playoffs
By Ian Levy
2. Caris LeVert
The Cavs were reportedly looking at a wing upgrade at the trade deadline, seeing what they could package with Caris LeVert to find someone who could provide more from his minutes. That upgrade didn’t materialize and the Cavs are basically left trying to cobble together 48 net-positive minutes at the 3 between Cedi Osman, LeVert and Isaac Okoro (more on him later).
Osman may be the most consistent of the three but also has the lowest ceiling. LeVert, on paper, has the most offensive value and that could be key in the postseason at reducing the load on Mitchell and Garland and helping stretch defenses are keyed in on the star backcourt.
LeVert is averaging 11.5 points, 4.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game this season, shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc. That’s close to his career-high on 3-pointers but he’s not threatening enough of an outside shooter to really help space the floor and he’s not quite effective enough as a self-creator to really justify a lot more on-ball responsibility. He provides a little bit of everything on offense but not quite at the level the Cavs need in any of those areas. If he could finish the season on a hot streak it would help inspire confidence and draw a lot more defensive attention as they move to the postseason.