Obvious Caris LeVert problem the Pistons should have seen coming

Caris LeVert has had the worst season of his career this year for the Detroit Pistons, partly because he’s been on and off the injury list and can’t get into a rhythm. 

LeVert has been the favorite scapegoat of Pistons fans this year, and though I generally try not to pile on in these situations, it’s well deserved, as he is averaging just seven points per game in 20 minutes off the bench, the lowest of his career. 

The Pistons bypassed re-signing Tim Hardaway Jr., who ended up on a minimum deal with the Nuggets, in order to bring in LeVert, who was supposed to be a better defender and more versatile offensive player. 

Those hopes haven’t materialized, and instead we’ve gotten a version of LeVert who has never been quite right this season, some of which is due to nagging injuries the Pistons should have seen coming. 

Trajan Langdon went away from his strategy for the Pistons 

LeVert has missed 19 games this season already and counting, as he is back on the injury report with a sprained wrist. 

Some injuries are obviously unavoidable bad luck, something LeVert knows plenty about, as he has been injury riddled for most of his career. 

LeVert is in his 10th season in the NBA and has only played 65 games or more three times in his career, a mark he will fail to reach again this season. 

LeVert is really the first player Trajan Langdon has signed who fits this description, as he specifically targeted players like Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Malik Beasley because they were guys who rarely miss games and have had no lengthy injury history. 

You have to wonder what it was about LeVert specifically that made Trajan Langdon abandon this ethos, as he’s not the kind of high-upside player worth that kind of risk, especially when you look at the cost the Pistons paid to acquire him. 

I do wonder how much LeVert’s relationship with JB Bickerstaff came into play here, as Langdon wanted to deliver a player JB could trust, and he’s familiar with LeVert after their years together with the Cavaliers. 

But that famiiarity has not paid dividends for the Pistons.

LeVert is only averaging half the number of points per game that he has for his career, so I do believe injuries have played a factor in his season, as it doesn’t seem likely that he just suddenly forgot how to play. 

But this is a problem the Pistons should have seen coming, as LeVert has a long injury history and is not a guy who has regularly suited up for 65+ games a season in his career.