NBA: Cavs land LeVert from Pacers for Rubio plus picks
Caris LeVert #22 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 26, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired guard Caris LeVert from visiting Indiana about 90 minutes before the two teams played on Sunday, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle confirmed.
The Cavaliers acquired LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick from the Pacers in exchange for injured point guard Ricky Rubio and three draft picks. According to reports, the picks are a lottery-protected first-round pick in 2022, a second-round pick in 2022 and a second-round choice in 2027.
LeVert was ruled out for Sunday’s game as the teams work on the final details of the trade.
LeVert is averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 39 games this season. He scored a season-best 42 points in a 122-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday.
“First class human being, first class professional, tremendous player, and a guy that I’m going to miss working with every day,” Carlisle told reporters of LeVert.
The 27-year-old LeVert has averages of 14.7 points, 4.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 299 games (172 starts) over six seasons. He spent 1 1/2 seasons with the Pacers after playing 4 1/2 seasons with the Brooklyn Nets.
FILE – Ricky Rubio #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers puts up a shot against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Ball Arena on October 25, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
Rubio tore the ACL in his left knee late in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 28. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Rubio, 31, was averaging 13.1 points and 6.6 assists over 34 games in his first season with the Cavaliers.
The 11-year NBA veteran has career averages of 11.1 points and 7.6 assists in 665 games (601 starts) in stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2011-17, 2020-21), Utah Jazz (2017-19), Phoenix Suns (2019-20) and Cavaliers.
In addition to LeVert being out for the Cavaliers, guard Darius Garland (back) also was out Sunday. Guard Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) was ruled out for the Pacers.
