Wolverines in the NBA: Pacers considering trading Caris LeVert, Franz Wagner shining as a passer, more
When healthy, former Michigan guard Caris LeVert has been a standout for the Indiana Pacers ever since he joined the team partway through last season. In 2021-22, he’s averaging 14.9 points (third on team), 3.1 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game. But the Pacers are 11-16, third to last in the Eastern Conference, and reports have said they’re looking to rebuild. With that, The Athletic‘s Shams Charania and Bob Kravitz have revealed that it’s possible that LeVert will be traded.
“The Indiana Pacers are moving toward a substantial rebuild and are expected to open up trade conversations around some of their veteran stalwarts, sources tell The Athletic,” the reporters wrote.
“Multiple sources said that the Pacers are receptive in trade dialogue with rival teams centered on potentially moving guard Caris LeVert and either two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis or center Myles Turner. All three players have frequently garnered significant interest from rival teams.”
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Elsewhere in the NBA, former Michigan guard and current Golden State Warriors starter Jordan Poole is shining, especially over his last 10 games. During that stretch, he’s averaging 20.2 points, 4.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds per contest, while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from long range. For comparison, in that same span, star backcourt mate Stephen Curry is shooting 40.2 percent from three-point range and putting up 24.1 points per game.
Former Michigan wing and Orlando Magic rookie Franz Wagner has already been a big part of his team to this point, but he’s taken on an even bigger role as of late. Wagner is handling the ball on a more frequent basis, and it’s paying off as he develops as a distributor. He’s already averaging 2.8 assists per game, which stands third on the team, but he’s dished out four or more assists in eight-straight games and is averaging 4.6 helpers per night during that span.
“Bunch of growth,” Wagner said of his point forward skills. “It’s something I got to get used to again. But, just making sure I have the right reads within the game when I run the pick-and-roll or run a play. Also, making decisions on the fly as a wing. You kind of just react to what the guard or the coach is running, and actually when I get the rebound sometimes I start the offense. Now I’m doing that a lot more often. That’s where I can get better.”
Here’s a complete update on Michigan basketball players in the NBA through Dec. 8, specifically highlighting the last week of action.
Ignas Brazdeikis (Played at Michigan from 2018-19), F, Orlando Magic
Saw five minutes in a 126-95 blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors, producing one assist and missing one three-point attempt.
Played in 12 games for the 5-21 Magic, averaging 8.2 minutes while contributing 1.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per outing and shooting 25.0 percent from the field and 17.6 percent from long range.
Trey Burke (2011-13), G, Dallas Mavericks
Put up two points (1-5 FG), one assist and one rebound in a 107-91 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans Dec. 3 … Posted eight points (3-9 FG, 2-5 3PT) and one assist in a 97-90 setback to the Memphis Grizzlies Dec. 4.
Came off the bench in all 13 of his appearances for the 12-12 Mavericks, averaging 6.3 points and 1.4 assists per night while shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Tim Hardaway Jr. (2010-13), G, Dallas Mavericks
Notched 12 points (3-11 FG, 2-6 3PT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 107-91 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans Dec. 3 … Poured in 29 points (7-18 FG, 5-9 3PT) and added seven rebounds and two steals in a 97-90 setback to the Memphis Grizzlies Dec. 4 … Tallied 11 points (5-14 FG, 0-7 3PT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in a 102-99 loss to the Brooklyn Nets Dec. 7 … Contributed nine points (4-10 FG, 1-6 3PT), four rebounds and one block in a 104-96 bounce-back victory over the Memphis Grizzles Dec. 8.
The former Michigan star started in 19 of the 12-12 Mavericks’ 24 contests, averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per clash … Shooting 38.5 percent overall and 33.5 percent from deep … The Mavs sit at seventh in the East.
Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Indiana Pacers
Poured in 27 points (8-16 FG, 1-5 3PT, 10-11 FT) and added three assists, two rebounds and two steals in a 113-104 loss to the Miami Heat Dec. 3 … Compiled 19 points (9-18 FG, 1-2 3PT), three blocks, two assists and one steal in a 116-110 win over the Washington Wizards Dec. 6 … Posted 15 points (6-12 FG, 1-2 3PT), six assists, three rebounds and two steals in a 112-102 triumph over the New York Knicks Dec. 8.
Third on the team with 14.9 points per game, while adding 3.1 assists and 2.7 rebounds … Shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 26.5 percent from deep … The Pacers are 11-16 and 13th in the Eastern Conference.
Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Detroit Pistons
Recovered from his foot injury that he suffered at Michigan and has been back and forth between the Detroit Pistons and its G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, though he has not yet made his NBA debut … In two games with the Cruise, he’s averaged 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per contest.
Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Golden State Warriors
Compiled 14 points (5-12 FG, 2-5 3PT), five assists, one rebound and one steal in a 118-96 win over the Phoenix Suns Dec. 3 … Tallied 15 points (6-9 FG, 3-6 3PT), three assists and three rebounds in a 112-107 setback to the San Antonio Spurs Dec. 4 … Posted 12 points (4-15 FG, 2-6 3PT), seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal in a 126-95 win over the Orlando Magic Dec. 6 … Put up 20 points (5-14 FG, 2-10 3PT, 8-9 FT), three rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block in a 104-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers Dec. 8.
Started all 25 games for the West-leading Warriors, who hold a 21-4 record … Averaging 18.0 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per outing, while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from deep.
Duncan Robinson (2014-18), F, Miami Heat
The former Michigan sharpshooter broke out for 24 points (7-11 FG, 4-7 3PT), two rebounds and one assist in a 113-104 win over the Indiana Pacers Dec. 4 … Recorded 11 points (4-10 FG, 3-7 3PT), three rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 124-102 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Dec. 4 … Notched 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3PT), three rebounds and one steal in a 105-90 setback to the Memphis Grizzlies Dec. 6 … Put up six points (2-6 FG, 2-5 3PT) and two rebounds in a 113-104 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks Dec. 8.
Opened all 26 contests for the 15-11 Heat, who are currently fourth place in the East … Registering 10.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per tilt, while shooting 36.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from long range.
Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic
Put up 17 points (6-14 FG, 2-4 3PT), five rebounds, five assists and two steals in a 118-116 loss to the Houston Rockets Dec. 3 … Posted 15 points (7-13 FG, 1-3 3PT), six assists, four rebounds and three steals in a 126-95 loss to the Golden State Warriors Dec. 6 … Poured in 19 points (5-10 FG, 2-2 3PT), six rebounds, four assists and one steal in a 142-130 setback to the Sacramento Kings Dec. 8.
Began all 26 games for the 5-21 Magic, who sit at 14th in the East … Averaging 13.8 points (second on team), 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists (third) per game, while connecting on 44.2 percent of his field goals and 37.8 percent of his three-point attempts.
Moritz Wagner (2015-18), F/C, Orlando Magic
The former Michigan star put up five points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3PT) in a 118-116 loss to the Houston Rockets Dec. 3 … Posted one point, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 126-95 setback to the Golden State Warriors Dec. 6.
Seen time off the bench in 24 of the team’s 26 tilts (11.1 minutes per contest), averaging 5.7 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 43.6 percent from the floor and 35.4 percent from beyond the three-point arc.
Michigan Wolverines In The NBA G League
Michigan Wolverines in the NBA G League include the following seven players.
• Chaundee Brown, South Bay Lakers (Los Angeles Lakers) — Averaging 17.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in six appearances.
• Charles Matthews, Canton Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers) — Posting 4.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist per outing in five games.
• Zavier Simpson, Oklahoma City Blue (Oklahoma City Thunder) — Registering 5.0 points, 4.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds per night in seven outings.
• Mike Smith, Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Heat) — Notching 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in 10 appearances.
• Nik Stauskas, Grand Rapids Gold (Denver Nuggets) — Pouring in 22.6 points while adding 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in nine tilts.
