The Atlanta Hawks have moved into pole position for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, but it could cost them, one way or another, with Caris LeVert. Like Alexander-Walker, LeVert is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
There have been consistent reports that the Hawks are interested in bringing him back after acquiring him from the Cleveland Cavaliers at the 2025 trade deadline.
LeVert has also expressed an interest in returning to Atlanta.
However, after falling behind the Hawks in the race for Alexander-Walker, the Detroit Pistons are now “strongly expected to focus on signing Caris LeVert away,” per The Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer on June 30.
LeVert, 30, averaged 14.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 26 appearances with the Hawks last season.
“Sources say Atlanta has shown a keen interest in retaining free agent guard Caris LeVert after bringing the veteran scorer to the Hawks as part of the return for trading De’Andre Hunter,” The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer posted on X on June 11.
Likewise, LeVert was open to returning at last check.
“We’ll see. I love this situation that I’m in right now. I love this team,” LeVert told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto in an interview in March. “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.”
Hawks would be taking risk re-signing Caris LeVert
The Hawks went 13-13 with LeVert in the lineup last season, with the veteran missing four games, not including the first contest after he was traded to Atlanta. Therein lies the risk with inking him to a multi-year deal.
LeVert played in a career-high 74 games in 2022-23. He made 68 appearances the following season before logging 64 in 2024-25.
His previous four seasons before that were all 58 appearances or fewer.
He appeared in 71 games as a second-year player, but only played in 57 games as a rookie and his injury history precedes his NBA career. LeVert has averaged 58 appearances and 24 starts per season through nine campaigns.
LeVert had the fourth-best offensive on-off differential on the Hawks last season, per Cleaning The Glass.
However, he also had the third-worst defensive differential.
Agee, Injury concerns, and impact beyond the raw stats all paint one picture of LeVert. But the prevailing sentiment is that the Hawks would like to keep him in the fold. If they can re-sign him on a two-year deal, preferably with a team option on the back end, that would be ideal.