{"id":143531,"date":"2025-06-05T16:36:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T20:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=143531"},"modified":"2025-06-05T16:36:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T20:36:00","slug":"hawks-should-pass-priority-free-agent-caris-levert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/05\/hawks-should-pass-priority-free-agent-caris-levert\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks Should Pass On \u2018Priority\u2019 Free Agent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Atlanta Hawks are focused on finalizing their front office structure, which could have a sizable bearing on the direction they take with their roster. In past years, that may have meant deciding whether to remain committed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/y\/youngtr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trae Young<\/a>. This summer, they\u2019ve been suggested as <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/02\/hawks-kevin-durant-blockbuster-trade\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">a possible landing spot<\/a> for Phoenix Suns star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Durant<\/a>. Less grand conceptions are focused on the 2025 NBA Draft and who they can add to their core.<\/p>\n<p>However, the Hawks also have free agency to look forward to. Though they aren\u2019t expected to go after Los Angeles Lakers forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeBron James<\/a>, who could serenade fans with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/27\/shams-lebron-likely-player-option-lakers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">a swan song<\/a> next season, there are several free agents who could fortify their roster. At least one of them is their own, which is why the Hawks are prioritizing re-signing him.<\/p>\n<h2>Hawks Should Pass On \u2018Priority\u2019 Free Agent Caris LeVert<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cWhen the Hawks look to improve their roster this offseason, they have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ajc.com\/sports\/2025\/06\/re-signing-hawks-guard-entering-free-agency-remains-teams-top-priority\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a couple of priorities to address<\/a>. One of those is the re-signing of veteran guard Caris LeVert,\u201d reports Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leverca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Caris LeVert<\/a> (along with fellow veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/n\/niangge01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Georges Niang<\/a>) was <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/06\/hawks-cavs-deandre-hunter-trade-deadline\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">traded to Atlanta in February<\/a> in exchange for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/huntede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">De\u2019Andre Hunter<\/a>, who was sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Prior to the deal, LeVert was shooting a career-high 40.5 percent from 3 in 2024-25, all while consistently making a two-way impact. Following the move, LeVert\u2019s 3-point percentage fell to .338 \u2014which is near his career 3-point percentage (.345)\u2014but averaging 14.9 points per game.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"16 Minutes of Caris LeVert Scoring Highlights | Cleveland Cavaliers 24\/25\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/17LNOS7Uit8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Numbers aside, he\u2019s capable of being an on-ball creator and off-ball outlet at 6-foot-6. Defensively, he\u2019s agile enough to make plays on the perimeter and sturdy enough to wall off would-be post scorers. All in all, he has undeniable talent and ultimately value.<\/p>\n<p>With that being said, the Hawks desire to re-sign LeVert is sensible. However, classifying him as a priority signing might not be.<\/p>\n<p>For starters, LeVert is relatively unpredictable, both in terms of his efficiency and aggressiveness. Furthermore, at the start of next season, the Ohioan will be 31 years old. Theoretically and anecdotally, his steady decline is nearing the horizon.<\/p>\n<p>If Atlanta was truly in a position to believe they\u2019ll make a deep run in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the conversation about bringing LeVert back would have a different hue. Yet, they\u2019ve missed the playoffs in back to back years. Yes, they\u2019re closer to contention than collapse but they\u2019ve still got a long way to go.<\/p>\n<p>Besides, it\u2019s not as if the Hawks have no way of \u00a0replacing LeVert.<\/p>\n<h3>How To Replace Caris LeVert<\/h3>\n<p>Ahead of free agency, the Hawks will have two first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. They\u2019re rumored to <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/31\/2025-nba-draft-hawks-pedigreed-prospect-jase-richardson-lotto-pick\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">have their eyes<\/a> on Michigan State guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/jase-richardson-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jase Richardson<\/a>, an effective scorer, with the 13th overall pick. Colorado State wing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/nique-clifford-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nique Clifford<\/a> and Duke\/Washington State wing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/cedric-coward-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cedric Coward<\/a>, versatile prospects with scoring upside, may still be on the board when they\u2019re back on the clock with the 22nd pick.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_143577\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-143577\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-143577\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/IMG_6795-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/IMG_6795-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/IMG_6795-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/IMG_6795-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/IMG_6795-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/IMG_6795-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/IMG_6795-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/06\/IMG_6795-1200x800.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-143577\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jan 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (7) misses a dunk against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In free agency, they could consider signing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brownbr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Brown<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bolbo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bol Bol<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hortota01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Talen Horton-Tucker<\/a>, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brookke02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Keion Brooks Jr.<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bantoda01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dalano Banton<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Brown is arguably the closest to LeVert in terms of overall impact. Bol is a gifted forward whose maturity is <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/02\/28\/bol-bol-has-impressed-in-a-disastrous-suns-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">his biggest obstacle<\/a>. Horton-Tucker is a deceptively skilled and positionless player. Brooks wrapped his rookie season up with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/22\/2025-nba-offseason-pelicans-master-plan\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">multiple head-turning performances<\/a>. Banton\u2019s a multi-faceted perimeter piece who has opened up his game in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>Last but not least, there\u2019s the trade market. With that in mind, the Hawks should explore sign-and-trade options involving LeVert. The goal would be to acquire a younger and likely less seasoned scorer. One example is Houston Rockets wing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/whitmca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Whitmore<\/a>, who is currently on <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/04\/rockets-best-trade-destinations-cam-whitmore\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">the trading block<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Its worth noting that all of these aforementioned players would likely be considerably cheaper to sign, re-sign or extend than LeVert.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Atlanta Hawks are focused on finalizing their front office structure, which could have a sizable bearing on the direction they take with their roster. In past years, that may have meant deciding whether to remain committed to Trae Young. This summer, they\u2019ve been suggested as a possible landing spot for Phoenix Suns star Kevin [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5008,"featured_media":143590,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,1608,31,62,556,3,4721],"tags":[1939,4533,4794,1070,50017,98,297,4774,50016],"class_list":["post-143531","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hawks","category-basketball","category-rockets","category-nba","category-nba-draft","category-news","category-trade-rumors","tag-bol-bol","tag-bruce-brown","tag-cam-whitmore","tag-caris-levert","tag-cedric-coward","tag-nba-draft","tag-nba-free-agency","tag-rumors","tag-nique-clifford"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5008"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=143531"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143593,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143531\/revisions\/143593"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/143590"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}