The Cleveland Cavaliers are not going to be starting off the 2024-25 season at full strength, as Max Strus will reportedly miss up to six weeks after suffering an ankle injury that he sustained during practice. Strus’ injury should open up a ton of minutes on the wing, with Isaac Okoro and Caris LeVert the likely recipients of more playing time in the aftermath of this unfortunate Strus development.
LeVert has proven in the past that he is more than capable of stepping into a larger role when some of the teammates ahead of him on the depth chart are beset by injuries. The Cavs certainly endured their fair share of injuries last year (with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley combining to miss 84 games last season), which then thrust LeVert into a more ball-dominant role.
As was the case last year, the Cavs will call upon LeVert to do a little bit of everything, as indicated by Kenny Atkinson when he revealed to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com what he told the 30-year-old wing via text.
“I texted him the other day, I said, ‘Here we go, you’ve got to do it all. You might start, you might come off the bench,'” Atkinson said.
The trust level between LeVert and Atkinson is high, as they have experience working with one another during their time with the Brooklyn Nets. LeVert has filled this do-it-all, fill-the-gaps role without complaints over the past few years — a trait that Atkinson appreciates.
“I think Caris has accepted that role, and he’s done it well for the Cavs. I know in Brooklyn he did it well for us. He understands that’s his role. He’s the ultimate team guy, ultimate high-character player. I don’t worry about him too much,” Atkinson added.
The Cavs will be opening their season on Wednesday night when they take on the Toronto Raptors. Their starting lineup is yet to be determined, but LeVert will most likely be the team’s Sixth Man like he was last season.
Caris LeVert leads Cavs’ versatile cast of players to fill in for Max Strus
Max Strus’ injury is not a welcome development whatsoever for the Cavs. They brought Strus in on a large free-agent contract last year because they valued his movement off the ball and the space he creates with said movement. Cleveland does not have another player on the roster who has a similar skillset to that of Strus’.
Nonetheless, Caris LeVert is a versatile option to have for the Cavs to call upon times of need. LeVert’s ballhandling and shot-creation off the bounce on the wing is his calling card as a player, but for Kenny Atkinson, it’s all about maximizing the other facets of his game.
“For us, it’s really to find that niche. We’ve gotta find it for him. What that looks like with Max out? He’s obviously a really good ball-handler, so, how does that work with Darius and Donovan? Then what big is best for him to play with? All that stuff comes into play,” Atkinson said.
