NBA News: Cavaliers Want Caris LeVert To Be More Active On Defense

KEY POINTS

The Cavaliers are patiently waiting for Caris LeVert to fully sync in with the team
The Cavs want LeVert to be more proactive in defense
LeVert is looking to help the Cavs figure prominently in the playoffs

The Cleveland Cavaliers need to make sure that all cylinders are running, including the new faces on the team.

One of those names that may be of concern is Caris LeVert.

Acquired in that trade involving the Indiana Pacers, there is no question that LeVert fits in the offensive needs of the Cavaliers.

But given the time he has been in Cleveland, pundits agree that it may take time before the 27-year-old guard can properly blend in.

The road towards achieving that will not be easy. LeVert is coming off an injury that prevented him from being able to play at his normal level.

Against the Philadelphia 76ers, the 6-foot-6 guard probably had his best outing this season. He came off the bench to score 15 points, seven assists, and one rebound in 15 minutes of action.

Considering LeVert is someone who owns career averages of 14.7 points, four assists, and 3.8 rebounds, these could be acceptable numbers.

But since his Brooklyn Nets and Pacers days, most know that he can deliver better numbers than that.

With that in mind, the Cavs know that LeVert just needs time to recall his old self.

But outside his offensive prowess, Cleveland also wants the 20th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft to unleash his defensive talent according to Darius Garland when he spoke to The Athletic.

“Want him to go out there and be aggressive and do what he does. Coach [J. B. Bickerstaff] was joking with him, said that they have seen a defensive side of him, so he’s gonna be guarding some of the best perimeter guys as well. So we need him on that end as well. So just have him out there, with his length, his scoring ability, his ball-handling ability, it makes life easier for everyone,” the All-Star guard stated.

Although the going has been rough for the Cavaliers so far, the fact remains that they have had a great run this season.

Most never expected them to be where they are right now, but the real story is going deep in the NBA Playoffs.

They are now at the sixth spot of the NBA Eastern Conference with a 39-30 win-loss record.

LeVert can use the remaining regular-season games to prep themselves for bigger battles in the coming postseason.