The Atlanta Hawks enter the offseason with questions for every phase, including in free agency, where veteran Caris LeVert is expected to be among the team’s priorities and could follow in his own footsteps contractually.
LeVert, who turns 31 in August, arrived via deadline trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A veteran with stops at the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers in addition to the Cavs, LeVert played a vital role down the stretch as the Hawks’ de facto sixth man.
“Caris LeVert may remain a productive bench scorer in their plans,” Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus wrote on June 18. “LeVert gave Atlanta 14.9 points per game in 26.6 minutes. He didn't shoot exceptionally well from three-point range (33.8 percent), but that may improve with additional time with the team (and a healthy Jalen Johnson).
“LeVert may not get a long-term deal, but at almost 31, he’s likely to stick around a few more years because of his natural scoring ability.”
He is coming off a two-year, $32 million contract that came in at $15.4 million in Year 1.
Pincus predicts LeVert could return to the Hawks on a “two-year deal starting at about $15 million” this offseason. The Hawks are among a select few teams with at least a pathway to cap space.
Caris LeVert played vital role for Hawks after trade deadline
LeVert ranked fourth on the Hawks in minutes, points, and three-pointers attempted per game after the trade deadline.
There have already been rumblings that the Hawks want LeVert back.
“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.
Moreover, LeVert, who was the No. 20 overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, has expressed a desire to return this offseason.
“We’ll see. I love this situation that I’m in right now. I love this team,” the free-agent-to-be told HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto in an interview published 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.”
One thing the Hawks must consider: improving their defensive lineups around LeVert.
His impact on the offense was unmistakable, with the Hawks ranked in the 93rd percentile in offensive efficiency with him on the floor, per Cleaning The Glass. They ranked in the 46th percentile without him on the floor, though that figure includes pre-trade data.
However, the Hawks ranked in the ninth percentile with LeVert in the game and 53rd when he sat.
That is an issue often used to argue against four-time All-Star Trae Young.
LeVert’s situation is less of a flashpoint given the vast difference in their salaries. LeVert also carries durability issues, but despite that, he could be an appealing non-taxpayer mid-level exception option for a team closer to title contention.
Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh is expected to speak with the media on Monday, June 23, following the conclusion of the NBA Finals.