Factory Of Sadness
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3 Cleveland Cavaliers whose futures will be decided over the last 21 games

By Chad Porto

Jan 18, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) reacts after a three point basket during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) reacts after a three point basket during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) stands on the court in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) stands on the court in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Caris LeVert

The word is out on Caris LeVert. He’s not very good. His current offensive box plus-minus is -1.9, while his defensive box plus-minus is near the bottom of the Cavs roster at just +.5. That put his total box plus-minus at -1.5, placing him 12th out of 16 possible players.

LeVert has been a bad offensive player and ranks at the bottom of the team for true-shooting percentage for anyone who has played 20 games or more. The Cavs clearly made a huge mistake in not trading him, as he could have probably brought back a few shooters that the team desperately needs.

LeVert’s offensive issues were masked last year with two said shooters, Kevin Love and Lauri Markkanen. Without more shooters, LeVert has to take more shots, and that isn’t his forte.

Before the trade for Donovan Mitchell, LeVert was rumored to be penciled in as a starter, alongside Darius Garland, Markkanen, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, while Collin Sexton, Ricky Rubio, and Kevin Love would make up the bench. This worked for LeVert, as he would be less of a play-maker and stretch-shooter, and be able to attack the basket more.

After the trade, the onus for LeVert changed and it went from a complimentary player who can hit mid-range shots to one who needed to create. That is not his strength, as the advanced stats clearly show.

He’s not someone that the Cavs can rely on offensively and thanks to the release of Love, the Cavs have no choice now but to rely on LeVert. If LeVert can put together a good run to close the season and into the playoffs, then LeVert may be brought back, but more than likely he’ll struggle in the playoffs as he’s done all year.

Only now, the Cavs won’t get anything for him if they decide to part ways with him.

Next. 3 Cleveland Cavaliers we wish would’ve gotten a second act with the team. dark

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