Cavaliers agree with forward Caris LeVert on 2-year, $32 million deal

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers opened NBA free agencyby agreeing with forward Caris LeVert on a two-year, $32 millioncontract, a person familiar with the negotiations told TheAssociated Press on Friday.

LeVert bounced between starter and reserve last season for theCavs, who won 51 games in the regular season and ended theirpostseason drought before losing to the New York Knicks in thefirst round of the playoffs.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because league rulesprohibit teams from announcing deals until next week.

LeVert averaged 12.1 points, 3.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds lastseason. He was expected to have a larger role before the Cavsacquired All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell in a blockbuster tradelast summer.

Still, the 28-year-old LeVert, who came to Cleveland midwaythrough the 2022 season, found his niche and was also one of theteam’s best on-ball defenders.

Cleveland has been desperate to find a two-way wing to go alongwith its young core — Mitchell, guard Darius Garland, forward EvanMobley and center Jarrett Allen.

The Cavs are expected to be active in free agency and havetargeted several players, including Miami shooting guard Max Strusand Philadelphia forward Georges Niang.