The Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers were involved in a very intriguing trade on Monday as the Pacers dealt swingman Caris LeVert of Columbus, Ohio to the Cavaliers for veteran point guard Ricky Rubio. In addition to LeVert, the Cavaliers received a second round draft pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and the Pacers received a first and second round draft pick in 2022 NBA Draft, and a second round draft pick in 2027 according to nba.com.
LeVert is joining his third NBA team after five seasons with the Brooklyn Nets and two seasons with the Indiana Pacers. This is the second straight year that LeVert has been traded. Last season he was dealt from Brooklyn to Indiana in the James Harden blockbuster.
The Harden trade was significant for LeVert personally, because with the deal, it came with a physical. Upon a medical examination, it was determined that LeVert had a cancerous tumour. So far this season, LeVert is averaging 18.7 points per game, 4.4 assists per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, a field goal percentage of .447, a three-point percentage of .323, and a free throw percentage of .760.
Rubio tore his ACL in a 108-104 Cavaliers loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on December 28. In 34 games, Rubio averaged 13.1 points per game, 6.6 assists per game, and 4.1 rebounds per game. He also had a field goal percentage of .363, a three-point percentage of .339, and a free throw percentage of .854. The native of El Masnou, Spain has previously played with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, and Phoenix Suns, in addition to the Cavaliers. It should be noted that Rubio became expendable because after his injury, as Cleveland acquired point guard Rajon Rondo from the Los Angeles Lakers.
