The Cleveland Cavaliers are not messing around. With the acquisition of Caris LeVert from the Indiana Pacers via trade, the team’s depth just got more dynamic.
Incidentally, the Cavaliers beat the Pacers on Sunday night, 98-85 to improve to 33-21 and move up to third place in the Eastern Conference.
The addition of LeVert will surely help the Cavaliers add more firepower in the backcourt. This, however, could also mean even fewer minutes for veteran Rajon Rondo, who was also acquired via trade just last month. Rondo hasn’t played significant minutes since his arrival, but Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff assured that the two-time NBA champion will have a role moving forward (via ESPN).
“As we get deeper in the season, we will need more from him. He’s working his way into a comfort level with us, but I can tell you he’s got an understanding for the game that’s second to none.”
The 35-year-old Rondo has been coming off the bench for the Cavaliers, with sporadic production so far. But as he has proven throughout the years, when given heavy minutes, he can put up numbers. Not to mention, he levels up his game when the stakes are high.
LeVert is expected to start at shooting guard for the Cavaliers. But if Bickerstaff wants to get a little radical, he can pair up LeVert and Rondo off the bench and join Kevin Love for more instant production.
The Cavaliers will gun for a third straight win as they face the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.