Wolverines in the NBA: Caris LeVert excited to 'play for a championship' in Cleveland

Michigan Wolverines basketball players are standing out in the NBA.

Guard Caris LeVert was long a rumored to be a trade candidate from the Indiana Pacers, and was finally dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers Feb. 6 ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.

The 27-year-old is now closer to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and on a team expected to make the playoffs and contend for the Eastern Conference title. Those prospects are exciting for LeVert, who’s slated to suit up with the 35-20 and fourth-place Cavs for the first time Wednesday evening.

“Here,” Levert told reporters, “we’re playing for a championship.”

“It makes us more dynamic,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of the addition of the former Michigan star. “It makes us a really dangerous basketball team.”

“It’s the silkiness of his game and how he can manage to get by his guy. And it’s like at an offbeat rhythm, so guys that are defending him don’t know when he’s going to go, when he’s going to stop.

“He’s a tough-shot maker, so it’s really difficult to game plan for a guy like that.”

Here is an update on former Michigan basketball players in the NBA through Feb. 8, specifically honing in on the last week of action.

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Ignas Brazdeikis (Played at Michigan from 2018-19), F, Orlando Magic

Scored a season-high 13 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 3PT) and added three rebounds in a 135-115 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies Feb. 5 … Posted two assists in a 116-83 loss to the Boston Celtics Feb. 6 … Put up two points (1-6 FG), one rebound and two assists in a 113-95 victory over the Portland Trailblazers Feb. 8.

Appeared in 25 games for the 13-43 Magic, averaging 2.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per contest.

Trey Burke (2011-13), G, Dallas Mavericks

Posted two points (1-2 FG) in a 107-98 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Feb. 4 … Registered seven points (3-7 FG, 1-1 3PT), two rebounds and one assist in a 103-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Feb. 6 … Scored 18 points (7-12 FG, 4-6 3PT) and contributed three rebounds and one assist in a 116-86 triumph over the Detroit Pistons Feb. 8.

The former national player of the year at Michigan played in 30 games off the bench for the 32-23 Mavericks, who are fifth in the Western Conference, averaging 11.1 minutes … Notches six points, 1.5 assists and 0.9 rebounds per clash, while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G, Dallas Mavericks

Suffered a foot injury Jan. 25 and had surgery … There is no timetable for his return.

Started 20 of 42 games for the 32-23 Mavericks … Averages 14.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest, while connecting on 39.4 percent of his overall looks and 33.6 percent of his shots from deep.

Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Cleveland Cavaliers

The former Michigan guard was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the 33-21 Cleveland Cavaliers, who sit fourth in the Eastern Conference … Has not played a game for his new team yet but is expected to suit up for Wednesday night’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs … Averaged 18.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while starting 39 tilts for the Pacers.

“We’re playing for a championship.”

-Caris LeVert pic.twitter.com/M8shtl8o82

— Cleveland Sports Fans (@CLE_SPORTS_FANS) February 8, 2022

Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Golden State Warriors

Posted 12 points (4-8 FG, 0-4 3PT), five rebounds and three assists in a 126-44 win over the Sacramento Kings Feb. 3 … Put up 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-4 3PT), eight points and eight assists in a Feb. 7 triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Started 34 of his 48 appearances for the 41-13 Warriors, who stand second in the West … Registers 16.6 points, 2.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 44 percent overall and 34.1 percent from beyond the three-point arc.

Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, Miami Heat

Tallied 17 points (5-10 FG, 4-8 3PT), three rebounds and three assists in a 112-95 victory over the San Antonio Spurs Feb. 3 … Put up three points (1-9 FG, 1-7 3PT), three rebounds and four assists in a 104-86 win over the Charlotte Hornets Feb. 5 … Posted 12 points (4-10 FG, 4-9 3PT) and one rebound in a 121-100 thrashing of the Washington Wizards Feb. 7.

The former Michigan sharpshooter opened 47 of his 52 games for the first-place and 35-20 Miami Heat … Averages 11.6 points, three rebounds and 1.5 assists per clash, while shooting 39.4 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from long range.

Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic

Put up 17 points (7-13 FG, 1-3 3PT), four rebounds and two assists in a 119-118 thrilling win over the Indiana Pacers Feb. 2 … Put up 15 points (5-9 FG, 3-5 3PT), one rebound and three assists in a 135-115 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies Feb. 5 … Notched eight points (4-13 FG, 0-3 3PT), seven rebounds and one assist in a 116-83 loss to the Boston Celtics Feb. 6 … Registered 13 points (5-14 FG, 3-4 3PT), nine rebounds and seven assists in a 113-95 win over the Portland Trailblazers Feb. 8.

Started all 56 games for the 13-43 Magic, averaging 15.6 points (second on team), 4.6 rebounds (fourth on team) and three assists (fourth on team) per clash while shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from long range.

Moritz Wagner (2015-18), F/C, Orlando Magic

The former Michigan forward scored eight points (4-5 FG) and added three rebounds and one assist in a 119-118 victory over the Indiana Pacers Feb. 2 … Notched nine points (2-5 FG, 2-5 3PT), five rebounds and two assists in a 135-115 setback to the Memphis Grizzlies Feb. 5 … Tallied six points (2-8 FG, 0-4 3PT) and three rebounds in a 116-83 loss to the Boston Celtics Feb. 6.

Appeared in 45 games and averages 7.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per tilt, while hitting 50 percent of his field goals and 33.1 percent of his looks from long range.