CLEVELAND — Just 24 hours after being definitively linked to one of the bigger names on the NBA trade market, the Cavaliers appear to have gotten their man.
The Cavs have agreed in principle to acquire wingman Caris LeVert from the Pacers, Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed Sunday. Cleveland, which officially announced the trade on Monday morning, sent guard Ricky Rubio, first and second-round draft picks in 2022, and a second-round pick in 2027 to Indiana in exchange.
“We are very excited to add a dynamic young player of this caliber and experience,” Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman said in a statement. “Caris LeVert fits uniquely into our culture and his Ohio roots brings an immediate connection to our community. We look forward to seeing what type of impact he can make on this roster.
"We also want to send our best wishes to Ricky Rubio and his family. Ricky has been the consummate professional and his leadership both on and off the court was invaluable and we respect everything he brought to this franchise.”
The Athletic's Joe Vardon reported on Saturday that the Cavaliers were looking at bringing in LeVert before this week's trade deadline. Strangely, the Pacers played the Wine and Gold at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Sunday evening, although the 27-year-old did not suit up for either team.
A Columbus, Ohio, native and former first-round selection out of Michigan, LeVert is averaging 14.7 points per game across six NBA seasons with both the Pacers and Brooklyn Nets. Ironically, he arrived in Indiana last year as part of the massive four-team trade that sent former MVP James Harder to Brooklyn and star center Jarrett Allen to Cleveland.
LeVert is posting 18.7 points per contest this season, but the Pacers are just 19-35 and well out of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Wojnarowski writes the former Pickerington Central High School standout is "thrilled" to be returning to his home state and to play for the red-hot Cavs, who are currently tied for third in the East.
Rubio's time in Cleveland ends after just 34 games. The 11-year veteran had been averaging 13.1 points and 6.6 assists, but his role as a much-needed leader on a young team came to a crushing end when he tore his ACL in late December. The organization was able to use his $8.9-million expiring contract to help take on LeVert's $17.5-million salary without losing another player.
The involved first-round pick is lottery-protected, meaning Indiana will only get it if Cleveland makes the playoffs this season -- something the club is currently in position to do.