Indiana Pacers: Should Caris LeVert be the primary PG next season?

Caris LeVert was quite the addition last season despite missing his first two months with the Indiana Pacers. Heading into his second season with the team, should he be given the keys to the offense as the primary point guard. This would require a handful of changes to be made around him, including a potential trade of Malcolm Brogdon, but the Pacers should be open to a restart.

As the team plans for the future, should Caris LeVert be in the mix as the leader of the offense? This offseason could be an important stepping stone in shaping the roster.

Should the Indiana Pacers turn to Caris LeVert to lead the offense?

Things are in a weird spot for a Pacers team that missed the playoffs last season. The roster, at least on paper, looked like a group that could compete in the Eastern Conference and arguably win a playoff series if things went well. The ceiling felt pretty high before injuries took over.

Offensively, the Pacers had a pretty good season under new head coach Nate Bjorkgren but defensive woes really limited what the team was capable of down the final stretch. Still, three players scored over 20 points per game last season with Caris LeVert and Malcolm Brogdon both reaching that mark.

Brogdon was expected to make a big leap in his second season with Indiana and while his numbers did look very solid across the board, injuries were too much of a concern all season. He missed 16 games in the regular season including the final 10 games. Relying on an injury-riddled guard to run the offense is not going to get this team very far.

Unless the Pacers believe Brogdon will be fully healthy moving forward, which is a huge ask, giving the keys to Caris LeVert while finding a trade partner for Brogdon makes the most sense. With T.J. Warren returning to the lineup next season, the Pacers would have four players that thrive with the ball on offense.

Running Brogdon, Warren, Sabonis, and LeVert at the same time might lead to issues on both ends of the floor but offensively, it would be difficult to ask Brogdon to give up point guard duties. Trading him for an off-ball guard or wing could improve this team’s current ceiling.

Caris as the point with Warren and Sabonis being heavily involved in the offense still gives the Pacers plenty of scoring options. Assuming Myles Turner is gone in this scenario, that leaves the Pacers with an open spot at the two-guard and in the frontcourt, both of which could be filled in the draft or within the roster.

If the Pacers decide to punt on next season and head toward more of a rebuild, playing Sumner and Brissett with the starters is an option. Of course, drafting an NBA-ready player at 13 is still in play.

On the other hand, the Pacers could also try to find fillers in free agency that can slide into those spots or play Doug McDermott at the four if he is re-signed. There are a number of directions the Pacers could go this offseason but determining the point guard should be one of their first steps.