#8 Caris LeVert – Indiana Pacers
2020-21 Stats: 20.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.4 STL, 44.1 FG%, 32.6 3P%
Last season was a bit scary for Caris LeVert, as a small mass was discovered on his left kidney during a physical examination after being traded to Indiana as part of the James Harden to Brooklyn deal. LeVert underwent surgery to remove what was classified as renal cell carcinoma of the kidney and did not make his debut with the Pacers until mid-March.
This trade could have very well saved Caris LeVert’s life and set to begin the 2021-22 season with the Pacers while T.J. Warren is still sidelined due to a foot injury, he could be in line to make a big jump this year.
LeVert has always been a really solid scoring weapon on the wing and with both Brogdon and Sabonis getting more attention than him in this offense, there is no reason why Caris LeVert cannot have a career year.
The 2020-21 season was the first time the 27-year-old guard has averaged over 20 points for a season and he ended the year on a high note, averaging 24.8 points on 44.2% shooting from the floor in the Pacers’ final nine regular-season games.
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Whether it is in pick-and-roll sets or running in transition, Caris LeVert can score in many different ways, making him a key offensive weapon for the Pacers.
#7 Fred VanVleet – Toronto Raptors
2020-21 Stats: 19.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 STL, 38.9 FG%, 36.6 3P%
Many may classify Fred VanVleet as a point guard, but he has played alongside Kyle Lowry in the Raptors’ backcourt the last few seasons as the team’s starting “shooting guard”. Last season, VanVleet stepped up into a bigger role with Toronto since Lowry was dealing with some injuries and now with Kyle Lowry in Miami, Fred VanVleet is “the guy” for his team in the backcourt.
Whether he starts at point guard or shooting guard this season with the recent addition of Goran Dragic is to be determined, but the 27-year-old guard is one of the most underrated two-way guards in the entire league.
His on-ball defense is highly slept on, as he was one of the main reasons why the Raptors won the 2019 NBA Finals over Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, and for his career, VanVleet has shot 38.4% from three-point range.
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Do not let his 6’1” frame fool you because Fred VanVleet really is one of the more complete guards in this league in terms of being able to help his team in many different ways. He may not overpower a defense physically, but mentally, the veteran guard is always prepared and sets his team up for a lot of success.
Only Chris Boucher (6.1) had a higher win-share than VanVleet (4.3) last season, thus proving how valuable he is to the Toronto Raptors franchise.
