CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Caris LeVert is officially a Cavalier.
The Cavs and Pacers completed their trade with the league office Monday to bring the small forward to Cleveland along with a 2022 second-round pick. Indiana receives Ricky Rubio’s expiring contract, the Cavs 2022 first-round pick – lottery protected – plus a 2022 second-round pick via Houston and a 2027 second-round pick via Utah.
Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman announced the trade Monday morning.
“We are very excited to add a dynamic young player of this caliber and experience,” Altman said. “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.”
Rubio, who was lost for the season due to a torn left ACL in late December, is being paid $17.8 million this season and the trade allows the Pacers to clear significant money off their books.
LeVert will be introduced following practice on Tuesday and the expectation is that he will make his debut Wednesday night against San Antonio.
LeVert, who has one more year remaining on his contract for next year and is making $17.5 million this season, has averaged 18.7 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 39 games for the Pacers this season.
The trade reunites LeVert with his former Brooklyn Nets teammate Jarrett Allen. Both players were involved in the three-team deal that sent James Harden from Houston to the Nets, LeVert to the Rockets and then the Pacers as well as Allen to the Cavs.
The Cavaliers, now 33-21 and third in the Eastern Conference, were expected to be players leading up to the trade deadline due to the loss of Rubio as well as Collin Sexton for the season.
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday and Altman will likely look to make additional moves.