3 reasons the Cavs should and should not trade for Caris LeVert

Should the Cavs trade for LeVert?

So, should the Cleveland Cavaliers trade for Caris LeVert? Well, if he’s the only other option out there, then ok. Fine. The team needs to make a move to bolster their scoring, we can’t deny that any longer. We’ve waited to see what the team would look like going forward after the rash of injuries and scoring is a problem.

We can’t rely on Brandon Goodwin.

That said, if there are any other deals, any at all, the Cavaliers can make, then they should absolutely not make this trade. I just looked at five deals the Cavs could make, one of which involves Caris LeVert but there are three, maybe even four better fits for the team than him.

Namely CJ McCollum and Luke Kennard. If you can swing both, even better.

Part of the issue is that while Caris LeVert would help the offense out, he would hurt the defense arguably just as much. LeVert’s box+/- on the season is a -0.5, while Isaac Okoro is a +2.0. Losing Okoro may hurt the Cavaliers more than adding LeVert could ever help. After all, despite what the media tries to sell you on, basketball is a two-way sport, and playing defense matters just as much as playing offense.

Look at the Hornets win, Okoro was so aggressive against LaMelo Ball all-game long, Ball barely did any real damage. Now replace LeVert with Okoro; do you think he can play Ball the same way?

Lastly, the Cavs don’t need another player just like Collin Sexton. They already have Sexton, and there’s no reason to make a trade for a taller, but also older version of him. If you’re going to make a move, it should be for someone that adds in what you don’t have already. LeVert isn’t going to play a three-and-D style and that’s what this team excels at.

The Cavs should keep looking for better options because while we’ll settle for LeVert, that’s exactly what we’d be doing; settling.