The Cavaliers have reportedly landed a top trade target.
According to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers will receive Caris LeVert from the Pacers in exchange for Ricky Rubio, a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick and a future second-round pick.
Full trade: 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, per sources.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2022
Here's all you need to know about the deal.
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Cavaliers-Pacers NBA trade details
- Cavaliers receive: Caris LeVert
- Pacers receive: Ricky Rubio, 2022 first-round pick (lottery protected), 2022 second-round pick (via Rockets), 2027 second-round pick (via Jazz)
One of the NBA's most surprising successes this season, the Cavaliers make a major win-now move in acquiring LeVert, who is averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds through 39 games this season.
The Cavs entered the deal just 1.5 games out of the East's top seed despite season-ending injuries to Rubio and 2018 lottery pick Collin Sexton.
With Rubio and Sexton out for the season, the Cavaliers needed to bring in more guard depth in order to have a chance to contend in the Eastern Conference as soon as this season.
MORE: Biggest buyers and sellers at the 2022 trade deadline
LeVert, 27, is a native of Pickerington, Ohio, and returns to his home state to add more depth and scoring to the Cavs, joining a backcourt that already features first-time All-Star Darius Garland.
He is also reunited with former Nets teammate Jarrett Allen.
The move confirms that the Pacers will be sellers at the trade deadline, as Rubio will not be able to suit up this season after tearing his ACL in late December.
Rubio will be a free agent following the 2021-22 season and his $17.8 million contract is set to come off of the Pacers' books.
Barring a historic meltdown from the Cavs, the lottery-protected first-round pick will convey to the Pacers in 2022, giving them another asset to build with for the future.
Caris LeVert contract
LeVert signed a three-year, $52 million contract in 2020.
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | |
| Caris LeVert | $17,500,000 | $18,796,296 | Unrestricted Free Agent |
Ricky Rubio contract
Rubio signed a three-year, $51 million contract in 2019.
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | |
| Ricky Rubio | $17,800,800 | Unrestricted Free Agent |
(Salary figures courtesy of Spotrac.)
