Cavaliers land LeVert in trade with Pacers
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 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 second-rounder via Houston, and a 2027 second-round selection via Utah to the Pacers in return for LeVert and a 2022 second-rounder originally from Miami.
Rubio is out for the year with a torn ACL. His contract expires after this season. LeVert has one year remaining on his deal following the 2021-22 campaign.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed LeVert was on his way to the Cavaliers ahead of Indiana's matchup against them Sunday in Cleveland.
"Cleveland is in a great position, and adding a guy like Caris LeVert very well could push them to the top," Carlisle said, according to The Associated Press' Tom Withers.
"Caris has been a tremendous young man to work with here," Carlisle continued. "He’s a first-class human being and a first-class pro and a tremendous player. I’m going to miss him."
LeVert gives the Cavaliers another proven scoring threat to complement budding star guard Darius Garland, dynamic rookie Evan Mobley, and center Jarrett Allen, among others. With Cleveland currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference at 32-21, LeVert's addition could prove to be an important win-now move for general manager Koby Altman.
Meanwhile, absorbing Rubio's expiring contract and acquiring picks provides the Pacers with financial flexibility and key future assets that should help expedite their rebuild. Indiana's other premier players, including Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, have also been featured in trade talks this season, and the team could move them ahead of the 3:00 p.m. ET trade deadline on Feb. 10.
The 27-year-old LeVert is averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 39 appearances this season. He's dealt with more than his fair share of setbacks throughout his career, including kidney cancer and a stress fracture in his back.
The deal allows Indiana to pay out only $94.6 million in salary in 2022-23, meaning the team will fall $26 million below the salary cap, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. The Cavs also temporarily avoid the luxury tax following the trade, but they'll have to decide whether or not to pay restricted free agent guard Collin Sexton this offseason.