Caris LeVert has risen to a new level since he arrived in Atlanta, and Hawks fans are demanding the front office extend his contract. The nine-year NBA veteran has quickly adapted to Quin Snyder’s system, producing 20+ points on four occasions in a five-game span and two impressive victories.
His fourth-quarter heroics against the No.2 seeded Memphis Grizzlies contributed to a 132-130 win and he followed up with 26 points two games later against the Indiana Pacers
His shot creation has provided an unexpected boost after the team lost De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic during the trade deadline. He has averaged 20.6 PPG over the Hawks' last five games, and playing next to Trae Young has unlocked a fantastic offensive combination for the team.
His jump shot was the most intriguing part about acquiring the former Michigan Wolverine. He is a 40% three-point shooter but he's also improved the Hawks perimeter defense with his 6 '10 wingspan as well. Pieces like LeVert will help the franchise finally transcend to the next level in the Trae Young era. Building around Young has been a struggle over the years due to the roster's lack of defense and inconsistent shooting. He has already made a profound impact in both of these categories, and his versatility in the rotation adds various lineups Coach Snyder can utilize.
Since he’s in his prime, many teams will attempt to pique his interest this off-season. General Manager Landry Fields has claimed to be a fan of his playstyle, ensuring they will at least negotiate a potential extension. He should be one of Fields’ biggest priorities heading into the summer, considering what he brings to the court and the locker room.
Analyzing LeVert’s Potential Impact On The Future.
LeVert has provided more of a veteran presence to the locker room, and at 30 years old, he will not slow down anytime soon. At the beginning of his NBA career, he suffered numerous injuries from 2019 to 2022 and could not play over 50 games. He has finally gotten his health problems under control, playing 74 games during the 2022-23 NBA season and 68 games the following year.
His newfound durability makes him a prime candidate for an extension this summer, considering his abilities on both ends of the floor. LeVert could demand upwards of $16 million per year on a multi-year contract, and according to Spotrac.com, the front office has $33 million in cap space to spend this summer. They could sign LeVert to a two-year extension and put aside the rest of their funds to prioritize Dyson Daniels’ upcoming contract extension in the summer of 2026.
Both players are essential in their respective roles, and LeVert is the only one out of the three new Hawks with one year remaining on his contract. Alongside Niang and Mann, LeVert has exponentially increased the quality of the bench. Atlanta arguably has one of the better benches in the league as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.
Fields did a fantastic job improving the core mid-season, which is very difficult, especially for a team amid a losing streak. The Hawks were 2-8 in their last 10 games before trading for the trio, and a three-game winning streak followed shortly after. LeVert has spearheaded the rejuvenated second unit, and it came at the right time as the boys prepare for the Play-In tournament in a few weeks.