Reactions to the Detroit Pistons’ signing of free-agent Caris LeVert have been mixed, as some fans saw it as an overpay for a guy who may not significantly move the needle.
But LeVert is a consistent veteran scorer, who is a better all-around player than Tim Hardaway Jr. and/or Malik Beasley, so if you look at it that way, he’s not a bad get. LeVert can at least create his own shot from the wing and is a much better defender, even if he isn’t a prolific 3-point shooter.
There’s also the issue of his contract, which isn’t damaging, as it only goes for two seasons, and much like Tobias Harris before him, won’t hurt the Pistons long term and would be easy to move.
It also gives them another decent sized contract to stack in a trade, which would allow them to make a big move without needing four players to match salaries. Just a wild hypothetical, if Giannis became available, the Pistons now have $40 million in Harris and LeVert that gets them most of the way there to match salaries. That is just one example and unlikely to happen, but LeVert’s contract does make it easier to facilitate a big trade.
Who knows, this LeVert deal could end up being huge for the Pistons at the trade deadline next year, and we never know which star player will be available.
LeVert could help contractually but also as a player if the Pistons can get back to the postseason with him still on the roster.
Caris LeVert has playoff experience
LeVert has played 25 playoff games between Brooklyn and Cleveland and has put up solid numbers, averaging over 15 points per game.
He was shooting more 3-pointers back in Brooklyn and had two playoff runs with them when he knocked down 46 and 43 percent of his 3-point shots on over five attempts per game over nine games.
In his first playoff run with Cleveland in 2022-23, LeVert shot 36 percent from 3-point range on seven attempts per game. He’s scored 20+ppg in two playoff series, 15ppg in another and 10 points per game in a reduced role in 2022-23, so LeVert has averaged at least double figures in every playoff run he’s been involved in.
He’s put up much better career playoff stats than Malik Beasley and has stepped up as a scorer in big games, so the Pistons can certainly benefit from his playoff experience if they do get back to the postseason.