The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Caris LeVert, who has since excelled with the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs. His performance highlights his previous value to the Cavs.
Why the Cavs traded Caris LeVert away, leading path to Pistons in these playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Caris LeVert has been one of the unexpected surprises of the Detroit Pistons' playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The known bucket-getter is coming off the Detroit bench and doing what he does best -- putting the ball in the hoop.
It has served as a reminder that LeVert himself was once a member of the Cavs, and a highly regarded one.
When the Cavs first acquired LeVert, it felt almost like a steal in a trade.
But then early in 2025, they traded LeVert away, starting his path to the Pistons.
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The Cavs traded LeVert as part of a larger deal before the 2025 trade deadline to try and upgrade.
He was one of the main pieces going to the to acquire DeAndre Hunter.
The Cavaliers traded Caris LeVert to reshape their roster and improve their playoff chances.
Caris LeVert has been a key contributor off the bench for the Pistons, showcasing his scoring ability.
Before the trade, Caris LeVert was a highly regarded player for the Cavaliers, known for his scoring prowess.
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The Cavs felt the two-way standout Hunter raised their upside, and so LeVert and others were the price they had to pay.
Hunter didn't work out, and this season he ended up getting traded to the Sacramento Kings.
LeVert signed a two-year contract with the Pistons over the summer to join Detroit and play for his former Cleveland head coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, and it has worked out nicely thus far.