Indiana Pacers: 3 players that will benefit most from Caris LeVert
By Luke Parrish
Caris LeVert will bring plenty of help to the Indiana Pacers.
With Caris LeVert receiving treatment for the mass on his kidney, his return to basketball is imminent. Which members of the Indiana Pacers will benefit the most from LeVert joining the team? When LeVert was traded to the Pacers as part of the Victor Oladipo and James Harden blockbuster, Pacers fans were torn on the incoming guard.
OFFICIAL: Caris LeVert underwent successful surgery to treat renal cell carcinoma of his left kidney. No further treatment is needed. Caris is expected to make a full recovery and will be out indefinitely. https://t.co/5UAOhdzAj9
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 26, 2021
Caris LeVert was a stud in Brooklyn and stepped up this season when Kyrie Irving was not in the lineup. His ability to score and put pressure on opposing defenses make him a coveted young guard with three years remaining on his contract. Now, the Pacers will get the chance to develop him into a star. Which of his new teammates will benefit the most?
Domantas Sabonis
While LeVert and Domantas Sabonis do not play the same position or role on the floor, LeVert’s arrival will allow Domas to take more of a breather. Adding another offensive weapon to the mix will take the ball out of Sabonis’ hands and allow him to be more effective in the post and in pick-and-rolls.
Sabonis has been excellent this season but his one knock so far has been turnovers, something that comes with handling the ball as often as he does. I think if you take him off the ball a bit more and let LeVert split some of that duty, Sabonis will save his energy and take better care of the ball. After all, Sabonis is already playing a ton of minutes.
LeVert, along with a healthy T.J. Warren and Jeremy Lamb, could allow the Pacers to play a smaller lineup with Sabonis off the floor, rather than forcing the big man to play 38 minutes per contest.