Brooklyn Nets rising star Caris LeVert is here to stay

It is year four for Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert. He is entering a year with great exceptions on his shoulders after signing a big contract extension.

This summer, Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert committed to a three-year extension that would keep him in a Nets uniform through the 2022-2023 season. LeVert is coming off a solid 2018-19 season, where he averaged 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per contest.

Unfortunately, the guard only played in 40 regular-season games. A gruesome injury kept him sidelined for three months. He was able to make his return late in the season, but just in time to help the scrappy young Brooklyn Nets squad secure the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Brooklyn went down to the Philadelphia 76ers in just five games of the first round. LeVert certainly made his presence felt in the series. Although he didn’t make his first playoff start until Game 4, LeVert led the Nets in scoring. His numbers took a big jump in the postseason, averaging 21 points, 3 assist and 4.6 rebounds, shooting 49% from the field and 46% from three-point range.

The Ohio native has proved his worth to the Brooklyn Nets, so much so, that they inked him to a $52.4M contract extension. Since his arrival in 2016, LeVert has become a reliable secondary playmaker at the off guard spot. He helps the Nets with ball-handling, which is a huge plus. Adding some muscle to his 6-7 frame has improved his ability to finish at the rim. Additionally, LeVert has become a reliable knockdown shooter from beyond the arc.

Teams passed on LeVert during the 2016 draft, labeling him a good player but injury-prone, coming out of the University of Michigan After all, he had had three surgeries on the same foot in the 22 months prior to the draft. It was the Brooklyn Nets who took a chance on him. They traded veteran forward Thaddeus Young to the Indiana Pacers to acquire the rights to Caris LeVert with the 20th pick in the NBA’s 2016 draft.

Brooklyn had a tremendous offseason, bringing in some of the league’s best talent. They were able to sign All-Stars Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jordan. While Durant is set to be sidelined for most, if not the entire, 2019-2020 season, it’s up to LeVert to pick up the slack and be Irving’s co-star.

LeVert knows there will be an even bigger spotlight on the Brooklyn Nets in 2019-20. The fourth-year vet understands that he is responsible for what he can accomplish. With a very high ceiling, LeVert can be optimistic and confident about his future.