Impending Hawks Free Agent Looking To Re-Sign

Atlanta Hawks wing Caris LeVert was once one of the most highly touted young players in the NBA. So much so that he was being called Baby Durant. Even still, there were questions about whether he could fill De’Andre Hunter’s shoes.

Whether Hunter met the expectations of a former fourth overall pick, he was a key figure for the Hawks. At 6-foot-8, he could guard multiple positions and score in a variety of ways. This season, he had put himself in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation.

Hawks’ Caris LeVert Looking To Re-Sign As Free Agent

LeVert recently spoke to HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto in a wide-ranging interview. Among the topics that he discussed was his desire to re-sign with the Hawks when his contract expires this summer:

“We’ll see,” he says. “I love this situation that I’m in right now.”

“I love this team. The staff has welcomed me with open arms. I didn’t really know Quin (Snyder) previously before coming here. Obviously, I’ve admired his style from afar for a long time. Antonio (Lang), Ekpe Udoh, and Ron Nored on the staff I’ve had relationships with, so I feel pretty comfortable here. Like I always tell them, I’d love to re-sign here. My focus right now is the rest of the season and making the playoffs. It’s definitely something I’d want.”

With that in mind, due to who they had to part with to acquire him, Atlanta likely wants to bring him back.

Caris Counter

Because he’s Hunter’s replacement, it’s only right to look at LeVert’s offensive numbers.

In 18 games with the Hawks, LeVert is averaging 15.1 points on .486-.343-.714 shooting splits. He’s scoring 1.00 point per possession on isolation attempts, with an effective field goal percentage of 50.0. He’s scoring 1.32 points per possession as the pick-and-roll ball-handler, with an effective field goal percentage of 58.0.

His 3s aren’t dropping like they were before the trade though. LeVert was converting 40.5 percent of his 3s with the Cavs this season. His 3-point percentage dropping more than six points post-trade is somewhat inexplicable. A harsh critic might even say it’s inexcusable.

That being said, LeVert’s 3-ball is truly hit-or-miss. His streakiness is actually a defining characteristic of his game. Since 2019-20, he has as many seasons shooting above 36 percent from 3 as he has shooting below 33 percent from 3.

Nevertheless, he does have the highest plus-minus (+4.5) in the Hawks’ rotation. In fact, his plus-minus is more than 11 times higher than Trae Young’s (+0.4). Given the season that Young has had, that’s saying something.

Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems?

Aside from the tax implications, money’s technically not going to be an obstacle to bringing LeVert back. Following his trade to Atlanta, the Hawks now have his Bird Rights. Consequently, they could actually offer him a richer contract than any other team.

Yet, Atlanta is unlikely to write him a blank check. Players like Hunter and Clint Capela were on the trade block for years, primarily due to their salaries. Both have made or will make under $25 million annually on their current contract. With Jalen Johnson’s extension about to kick in, they’ll likely only be more cap conscious.

Will that leave LeVert on the outside looking in?