The Cleveland Cavaliers successfully completed a trade on Sunday, February 6th to acquire a key piece they needed to make a push this season as a top seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers sent Ricky Rubio’s expiring contract of over $17 million per year, a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, and two future second-round picks to acquire LeVert and a second-round pick from Indiana.
This move is huge for the Cavaliers as they add a much needed second playmaker and scorer in LeVert to this already dangerous lineup. The one thing that seemed to be missing from this Cavaliers team, that is fifth in the East currently, was another playmaker besides Darius Garland. LeVert can definitely be that as he was averaging nearly 19 points and 4.5 assists per game for the Pacers this year.
The Cavaliers now can be seen as legit contenders in the East after this move, if they weren’t already considered that. With the Brooklyn Nets dropping further down in the standings, really the only teams that should be seen better currently than the Cavs in the East are the Bucks, Bulls, and the Heat.
For the Pacers, they are adding some picks as well as cap flexibility to start rebuilding this roster. The team is also rumored to be looking to trade their All Star Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, and Malcolm Brogdon.
Photo Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cleveland_Cavaliers_vs._Brooklyn_Nets.jpg
