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the player Caris LeVert of the team Brooklyn Nets is seen in action during the match of NBA between of Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets on December 09, 2017 in México City, Mexico (Photo by Carlos Tischler/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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the player Caris LeVert of the team Brooklyn Nets is seen in action during the match of NBA between of Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets on December 09, 2017 in México City, Mexico (Photo by Carlos Tischler/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets have been hard at work looking for a third star next to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. While those two are enough on their own to win a title, one can never get too comfortable in the modern NBA. Every team is always just a few injuries or misfortunes away from being irrelevant (ask the 2019-20 Golden State Warriors).
Even if Brooklyn doesn’t get anyone, they have a rising star ready to take that role already in Caris LeVert. LeVert had an impressive run in the bubble, emerging as the team’s leader. His performances were solid, but the team was way too depleted to avoid a sweep in the first round. However, Caris isn’t battle-tested and this Nets lineup won’t have much patience for growing pains.
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Brooklyn’s Finest.
👀 some of the best @CarisLeVert moments from his breakout performance during NBA Restart! #BESTofNBARestart pic.twitter.com/trhSNxcGb0
— NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2020
This is why one of the rumored targets for the Nets has been Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo. Oladipo is a former all-star and a good stylistic fit next to KD and Kyrie. However, according to Zach Lowe, a LeVert-Oladipo deal is unlikely to happen.
“The New York Knicks had past interest in Oladipo, sources say, but they might have shifted into “wait and watch” mode. Oladipo would be an interesting fallback option as the Brooklyn Nets’ “third star,” though I’d be very surprised if Brooklyn dealt Caris LeVert for him.”
Are the Brooklyn Nets making the right move?
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Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant attend Philadelphia 76ers v Brooklyn Nets game at Barclays Center on December 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/Getty Images)
Keeping LeVert instead of getting Oladipo might be a smart move. While adding the defense of VO would be ideal, Caris is already a solid fit. His defense may not be elite, but he can be a fantastic complimentary scorer to Kyrie and KD. Especially considering the fact that KD is returning from a very serious injury. Someone needs to take the load from KD, and Kyrie can’t do it alone.
Oladipo is also an older player than LeVert. Caris’s true value will come in a few years as he continues developing. He is familiar with how the Nets operate and already had a season to build rapport with the two big stars. KD has even complimented Caris before. A move for VO would definitely improve them on paper, but is it worth the risk of losing LeVert? Brooklyn doesn’t want to find out.
