As we all know, the trading deadline is coming, and as time is approaching, there are some changes in the market, and just recently, the Knight and the Pacers reached a deal, the specific details are as follows:
— The Cavaliers sent Rubio, a protected 2022 first-round pick (lotto protection), a 2022 second-round pick from the Rockets, and a 2027 second-round pick from the Jazz
— The Pacers sent Le Vere, a 2022 second-round pick from the Heat
Let's start with the transaction itself.
Since Rubio has confirmed the season reimbursement, the Cavaliers did not lose immediate combat power in this deal, but their draft picks are really not bad:
The Cavaliers can basically lock in the playoffs this year, so the lottery protection of the first round of the 22-year pick does not work
The Rockets' 22-year second-round pick is equivalent to a first-round end
- Jazz's record in recent years is not bad, there are many stars, but as the saying goes, feng shui takes turns, and judging by the development law of the strong team in the small ball city, this 27-year second round has a certain probability of becoming a high-quality second round.
Of course, the Cavaliers also got the Heat's 22-year second-round pick, but this draft pick is basically the end of the second round, and it is not worth much. So in simple terms, the Cavaliers got LeVert, a second-round end, and gave out a non-lotto first-round pick, a quality second-round pick, a potential second-round pick, and an expiring contract — in terms of chips paid by both sides, the Cavaliers are by no means a robbery, and even a small loss.
As for the motivation for trading, it can only be said that each takes what is needed.
For the Pacers, this team has officially entered the rebuild, the most important purpose at the moment is to collect the draft picks and expire the contract, so LeVert's departure is just the beginning, now less than a week before the trade deadline, Sabonis Jr., Turner are likely to leave, and the chips will be richer than LeVert this time, in a sense, the Pacers are a good start.
For the Cavaliers, the Cavaliers have played unexpected performances this year, they are considered to be the biggest "dark horses" in the East and even the whole league, but their goal does not seem to be just to stay in the "dark horses", so the purpose of bringing in LeVert is also very simple, to get better.
LeVert has played in 39 games for the Pacers this season, averaging 18.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, just two days earlier against the Bulls, LeVert just cut 42 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists, which was also the last game of his Pacers career.
LeVert's shortcomings are not efficient, his shooting is unstable, and the breakthrough attack is average, shooting only 44.7%/32.3%/76.0% of the three shots and 53.0% of the true shooting rate.
But LeVert has a good pass, averaged 6.0 assists per game in his final season for the Nets, and 4.9 assists last season, and he is still a master of chaos, can be paired with Garland, can also lead the second team, and is definitely an enhancement to the Cavaliers' backcourt.
The knights of the present really cannot be underestimated.
Although this team does not have an absolute superstar, many people in the team have played well, except for LeVert, who has just joined, the other main players:
— Garland, who has averaged 19.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.2 assists this season, is one of the league's most promising point guards and is named an All-Star for the first time this season
Jarrett Allen has averaged 16.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks this season, and Allen's performance is close to all-Star level, although he lost the selection, but there may be hope to replace Durant
— Evan Mobley has averaged 14.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.7 blocks this season, no doubt, this is the best rookie of the year, and it is unbelievable that despite being a rookie, Mobley already has some dominance on the defensive end.
Lefour has averaged 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists this season, and he only averaged 22.2 minutes per game, maybe a chance to rush the best sixth man
- Markkanen averaged 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, and the performance may not be worthy of the contract, but Markkanen's opportunities are also limited, and it is very good to be able to stabilize the output
It is worth mentioning that on the same day as the transaction, the Cavaliers reversed the pacers of the trade object after falling behind by 20 points, and after defeating the Pacers, the Cavaliers' current record has reached 33 wins and 21 losses, ranking fourth in the East and seventh in the league - in terms of record alone, the Cavaliers are definitely a championship team.
So, don't be surprised, this team is really going for the championship, even if they're not optimistic, but at least they want to win, and that's where the Cavaliers change the most — the winning culture is really too important, and the trade with LeVert at least proves that the Cavaliers want to consolidate that culture, and it's only the first year of this Cavaliers, the future, it's okay.