Kofi Inkoom
After experiencing fluctuations in Caris LeVert’s role, with him moving in and out of the starting lineup last season, the Cavaliers aim to maintain greater consistency for him in the 2023/24 season, as reported by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
Although LeVert had one start early in the season due to Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell’s absence, the plan is for him to primarily come off the bench in his other appearances.
Expressing his flexibility, LeVert stated, “I’m comfortable starting, coming off the bench, whatever…But I think for us this season, the goal was kind of to keep me in the same. Obviously, if Don and D.G. are out, I would probably start. But I think just for me in terms of getting my rhythm, we kind of discussed that it would be better for me to have one role — to come off the bench all season.”
However, the team’s strategy this season is to provide him with a more defined role, mainly coming off the bench throughout the season, except when Garland or Mitchell is unavailable.
No longer sharing the court as frequently with the team’s primary ball-dominant guards, LeVert has seen an increase in his scoring average to 18.0 points per game and his usage rate to 24.4% this season, marking the highest since his arrival in Cleveland.
While it’s early in the season, LeVert’s performance as a reserve has positioned him as an early favorite for the Sixth Man of the Year award, an accolade he aspires to achieve.
Expressing his desire to win the award, LeVert acknowledged, “Of course, I want to win it. Of course, I do.”
However, he emphasized that it’s a team award, and if the team performs well collectively, it could lead to recognition for multiple players. LeVert’s focus remains on playing a strong team-oriented game.