He played a big role since coming over from Cleveland.
After finding some stability over the past few seasons, Caris LeVert once again found himself on a new team at the trade deadline, the Atlanta Hawks.
LeVert was a key piece off the bench for the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers this season, but with them looking for an upgrade on the bench and the Hawks wanting to shed salary, they agreed to send LeVert and Georges Niang to the Hawks, and De’Andre Hunter to the Cavaliers.
It was important that the Hawks got somebody who could replace the scoring of Hunter off the bench, or similar to what he was doing, and that’s what LeVert brought. Throughout his career, LeVert has been known as a solid scorer in any situation that he’s in. He can create his own shot from anywhere, and also has some defensive tools that are valuable to a team.
That’s what LeVert brought to the Hawks for 26 games, as he averaged 14.9 points and shot 48.2 percent from the field. LeVert was the type of player the Hawks wanted coming off the bench, and when he was on the floor with Trae Young, he was able to relieve the scoring pressure off of him.
For years, Young has had to create for others in order for the Hawks to be successful on offense, but that changed this season with how the team was constructed. Bringing in a player like LeVert made things even simpler on offense, as he wasn’t the only one on the floor who could be a shot creator while also being efficient.
“In Cleveland, I was more of a 3-and-D, catch-and-shoot kind of guy, and then here I was playing with the ball a lot more,” LeVert said during end of season interviews.
LeVert helped the Hawks win a few games down the stretch of the season, and it’s because of what he was able to do on both sides of the ball.
The Hawks will have to make a decision this offseason as LeVert is a free agent. It would be ideal to re-sign him, especially with the market probably not being there for a player like him when free agency opens. Unless the Hawks plan on making a trade for someone, then it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring LeVert back.
During the season, LeVert spoke highly of the Hawks and how he wouldn’t mind returning to the team.
“I love this situation that I’m in right now,” LeVert said via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “I love this team. The staff has welcomed me with open arms. I didn’t really know Quin (Snyder) previously before coming here. Obviously, I’ve admired his style from afar for a long time. Antonio (Lang), Ekpe Udoh, and Ron Nored on the staff I’ve had relationships with, so I feel pretty comfortable here.”
If there is a mutual interest between LeVert and the Hawks during the offseason, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back on the team next season.