It was a tale of two games for Caris LeVert to start his Atlanta Hawks tenure.
In his debut outing, LeVert had an inefficient 9 points, shooting 2-for-6 from the floor and 1-for-4 from beyond the arc. He did show his versatility, though, cutting to the basket, creating looks for himself, and playing the glass.
LeVert broke out in his second outing, finishing with 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting and connecting on 3-of-7 looks from downtown.
Vert beats the buzzer 🔋 pic.twitter.com/la9DfCJGz0
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 11, 2025
LeVert, 30, has been a streaky scorer in his career.
When he is locked in, he can put up points with the best of them, and from any level of the offense too. However, LeVert has also been prone to inefficient and otherwise quiet nights in his career as well.
This season has been no different, with LeVert posting his 21st game with double-digit points in 40 appearances this season.
Of his 500 career games, LeVert has scored 10-plus points 346 times, per Stathead.
As part of the Hawks’ return for trading De’Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeVert’s success is notable. He, in part, replaces the NBA’s leading bench scorer and someone whose game was often (incorrectly) criticized for lacking versatility.
That LeVert has been able to showcase his multi-faceted game in his two appearances with the Hawks while only shooting the ball well in one is encouraging.
Hunter took good shots and defended, etc. too though. So the evaluation must continue.
Hawks G/F Caris LeVert setting stage for lucrative offseason
LeVert’s success is key on many levels, and there might not be any more significant than for the player himself. LeVert is an unrestricted free agent after the season, in the final year of a two-year, $32 million contract.
The Hawks have not exactly shown their hand either way.
However, it is a pretty safe assumption that LeVert will hit the market instead of signing a new deal with Atlanta.
LeVert saw 30-plus minutes for the fourth time this season. He has scored 12-plus points three times in those games, and he has now reached the 18-point threshold twice. LeVert’s season-high is 22 points, which he scored while still with the Cavaliers.
Health has always been an issue for LeVert, even before he entered the league.
Still, the player nicknamed “Baby Durant” – as in Kevin Durant – shows why he is called that quite often. Perhaps there is a price point that works for him and the Hawks this offseason.