As the offseason is fast approaching, the free agency rumor mill is working overtime. The latest name that is reportedly on the Washington Wizards’ list for this offseason is Caris LeVert.
According to reporting by Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the Wizards are interested in signing unrestricted free agent LeVert this summer.
Levert, the 28-year-old shooting guard who spent the last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaged 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 74 games. LeVert can score in bunches with a solid off-the-dribble game and an improved shooting stroke. He shot a career-best 39% from downtown last season.
He also vastly improved on the defensive end. His on-ball defense and ability to guard forwards earned him the role of fifth fiddle alongside the core four of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
Despite all the improvements in his game, LeVert is still not the best fit for the Washington Wizards. He is still an inefficient player who had a below-average 54.6% true shooting last season. He is not the best finisher or off-ball player. His ideal role is still as an on-ball shot creator.
Since the Wizards seem poised for a rebuild, it doesn’t make too much sense to use valuable cap space on a ball-dominant perimeter player. LeVert’s ideal role on a team is a microwave-scorer 6th-man role and the Wizards simply don’t need a player of that ilk.
The Wizards need to see what steps their young players can take next season, including whoever they select with the no.8 pick, Johnny Davis, and Deni Avdija. These players will need the ball in their hands for their development. Therefore, what the Wizards need to do this offseason is to surround their young players with optimum spacing on offense. Caris LeVert doesn’t fit that bill.
What the Wizards need to target this summer are players who can space the floor on offense and can reliably defend. Overpaying for a score-first 28-year-old is not the way to go.