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Nets: Brooklyn Already Has a Third Star and His Name is Caris LeVert

ByColin Braun|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center on January 04, 2020 in New York City. The Raptors defeated the Nets 121-102. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center on January 04, 2020 in New York City. The Raptors defeated the Nets 121-102. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

With the recent rumors that the Nets may be interested in trading for Bulls star Zach LaVine, it’s time to remind people that Brooklyn already has a third star.

Man, Caris LeVert is so smooth.

If people had forgotten how good the Michigan product was over the NBA hiatus, they were forcefully reminded during the Nets scrimmage win over the San Antonio Spurs. LeVert exploded for 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, leading his shorthanded team against a solid Spurs bunch.

And with the news, per Ian Begley, that the Nets possibly could trade for Bulls star shooting guard Zach LaVine, it’s worth wondering what Brooklyn has planned for their current shooting guard: the aforementioned LeVert.

In order to land LaVine, the Nets would have to give up at least one of their budding stars, whether that be LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, or Jarrett Allen. And if general manager Sean Marks is smart, he’ll leave LeVert off the trade table.

Depending on what Chicago is asking for in return for their star, I don’t think it’ll be worth it to trade for LaVine. Not that I don’t think the UCLA product is a great player, but the Nets already have a guy who can be part of a potential big three with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving: LeVert himself.

LeVert is just scratching the surface of his full potential. The 25-year-old can score from all three levels and can do it with or without being the main ball handler. In essence, right now he’s a poor man’s Zach LaVine with the potential to grow into an All-Star.

I also think Caris LeVert fits better with Durant or Irving than LaVine would.

Both Kyrie and KD are ball-dominant scorers, meaning they need the ball to create for themselves. The same goes for LaVine, who always seems to have the ball in his hands for the Bulls. LeVert is capable of playing off the ball and remaining effective, while allowing his teammates to be the focal point.

The knock on the current Net, though, is his injury history. The four-year pro has played 60+ games once, as he’s sustained a myriad of injuries throughout his career. However, if the injuries stop hampering LeVert, and he can play a full season, the sky is the limit for this guy. People may think the Nets need a third star to win a championship, but they don’t realize that star is already Caris LeVert.

And if you don’t think LeVert is a star, just tune into the NBA restart and watch him shine.