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Indiana Pacers: Caris LeVert traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers

By Zach Pearson

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 10: Isaac Okoro #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket between Justin Holiday #8 and Caris LeVert #22 of the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 10, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 10: Isaac Okoro #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket between Justin Holiday #8 and Caris LeVert #22 of the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 10, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Just four days before the NBA trade deadline, on Feb. 06, 2022, it was announced that Indiana Pacers’ guard Caris LeVert has been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Indiana Pacers seem to have finally looked themselves in the mirror and decided a change was needed. They also play the Cavaliers tonight, which makes for an interesting story.

The full trade details as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski are: Indiana sends Caris LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick via Miami to Cleveland for Ricky Rubio, lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick via Houston, and a 2027 second-round pick via Utah.

Caris LeVert is averaging 18.7 points per game and 4.4 assists per game in his 39 games with the Pacers this season.

Adrian also reports that this move is likely the start of other moves for Indiana, with Pacers’ Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis remaining key players in trade talks.

This is a good trade for both sides, Indiana gets picks for the future as well as clearing cap space going into the summer. Cleveland gets a promising wing scorer that can add to their depth as they try to make a playoff run.

"Rick Carlisle confirms the Caris LeVert trade has been agreed to in principal. “Caris has been a tremendous man to work with,” Tony East reports."

The Pacers can now embrace their fate this season and develop their young talent without forcing their way back into a play-in spot.

This allows more playability for Chris Duarte to thrive in a starting role and grow his game against opposing teams’ starting units. Duarte has started in 36 games this season.

Ricky Rubio may not play a game in a Pacers jersey, as he will miss the remainder of the season after an MRI confirmed he suffered a torn ACL to his left knee. His contract is expiring as well, so we’ll see if Indiana wants to keep him around.

Rubio averaged 13.1 points per game this season for the Cavaliers, which is the same as Chris Duarte’s average for Indiana.

The Indiana Pacers are 19-36 on the season, and with the promising additions of Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson, the team has the ability to trade and build towards the future.

Next. Pacers at Cavaliers Odds, Injury Report, and Predictions for Feb. 6. dark

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