Brooklyn Nets 2018-19 season roundup, awards

Future Building Block: Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert may be Brooklyn’s most valuable foundational piece moving forward. The 24-year-old swingman burst onto the scene this season, averaging 18.4 points per game on 47.6 percent shooting from the field through Brooklyn’s first 14 games.

However, in a Nov. 12 loss in Minnesota, LeVert suffered what looked like a career-altering leg injury. He had the look of an All-Star prior to the injury and the league was taking notice. It appeared to be the worst possible scenario for the Nets.

Despite its horrific appearance, the injury was not as serious as many thought and LeVert returned to action shortly after the trade deadline. After shaking the rust off, the wing found his stride again just in time for the playoffs, where he was Brooklyn’s most effective player.

LeVert led Brooklyn, averaging 21.0 points per game on 12-of-26 (46.2 percent) shooting from 3 in five playoff games. He looked smooth and composed with the ball in his hands, providing a steady source of offense when the Nets needed it most.

The 24-year-old is extremely valuable because of his two-way ability. Two-way wings are in high demand in today’s fast-paced NBA.

Athletic wings who can defend multiple positions, score in transition and shoot in today’s up-tempo, position less NBA have a tremendous impact on the game.

Kawhi Leonard has terrorized the NBA with his dominant play on both ends of the floor. LeVert has similar measurables as a wing, standing 6’7” tall with a 6’10” wingspan, and employs a comparable hyperactive style of play.

Defensively, LeVert’s length and quickness allow him to get in passing lanes, stay in front of ball handlers, and contest shots. His size allows him to switch and defend one through four.

This season, unlike his first two, LeVert looked natural and under control with the ball in his hands. He used a lightning-quick first step to blow by defenders and consistently finished through contact at the rim.

He also employed the use of crafty pivots and head fakes when cut off in the lane.

When handling the ball, LeVert excelled in the pick-and-roll. An improved mid-range game allowed him to probe and finish with a floater or dish to a rolling big man.

Offensively, LeVert is the most balanced of Brooklyn’s ball handlers. He can efficiently score from all levels of the floor, unlike Russell and Dinwiddie. Of LeVert’s field goal attempts, 32.1 percent came from 0-3 feet as opposed to Russell’s 13.7 percent.

With defenders respecting his driving ability, LeVert improved shooting off the dribble, converting on 35.2 percent of his pull-up threes. The swingman doubled his percentage of unassisted 3s from 27.1 percent to 54.2 percent.

The 3-point shot is the barometer of LeVert’s play offensively. When he is making it with any sort of consistency, he excels as a scoring threat from all levels of the floor.

When he struggled from 3 following his return from injury, defenders played off LeVert, giving him as much as five feet of space on the outside. This neutralized LeVert’s driving ability in isolation and allowed defenders to go under high ball screens.

LeVert’s potential on both ends of the floor make him Brooklyn’s most complete player. If he can fully establish his outside shot, the 24-year-old will be an All-Star in the coming years.