Cavs, Caris LeVert In No Hurry On Contract Extension

While there’s plenty of buzz around the Cavaliers after there acquisition of Donovan Mitchell, they still have some things to decide.

For starters, they have to start who will decide at small forward next to Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. That will be determined in training camp and the preseason.

One of the candidates is no less than Caris LeVert, landed in the Ricky Rubio trade with the Pacers. LeVert scored 42 points in his final game as a Pacer. He has that type of potential. He can erupt at any moment. Starting him alongside the other four would give the Cavs even more firepower.

But they may want LeVert’s scoring in reserve. Again, it’s way too early to tell, and it will be up to coach J.B. Bickerstaff to determine where LeVert fits best.

Off the court, another matter looms — and that’s the fact that LeVert’s $18.7 million contract expires at the end of the season. He is due for an extension, or to become an unrestricted free agent.

Sources have told Hoops Wire that there is no rush from the Cavs, or from LeVert’s camp, on an extension. Both sides are willing to see how things play out, how LeVert fairs and fits with a full training camp in Cleveland under his belt.

FYI: See some Cavs fans and media have certain players already penciled in at small forward. That starting position will be determined in training camp. But has not yet.

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) September 6, 2022

Last year, LeVert appeared in just 19 games with the Cavs after the trade. That’s a very small sample size, not even a quarter of a season. He averaged 13.6 points and 3.9 assists in that span. If there’s one thing he proved, it’s that he’s capable of breaking down defenders off the dribble. Fitting in entirely with the rest of the offense remained a bit of a question mark.

But again, he barely got in any run. Not with a fully healthy roster.

So what will the Cavs do next? Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com offered his own thoughts on the HoopsHype podcast with Michael Scotto.

“I think, ultimately, it’s going to be hard for both sides to get an extension done because the feeling inside the organization right now is that Caris is going to want too much, and they don’t know what his role is going to be and how he’s going to fit with Mitchell coming on board,” Fedor said. “The Cavaliers are open to whatever. If they can get him on a team-friendly deal, I definitely think they’ll consider and explore it. I just don’t see an extension coming for LeVert.”

That sounds about right. But just as the situation was with former Cavs guard Collin Sexton, no one is feeling any pressure right now. The Cavs, and LeVert, can take their time, and that is what they seemingly intend to do.