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Caris LeVert not surprised by Nets trade gossip: 'part of the business'

NEW YORK POST | 3 MONTHS AGO | 3 MINUTES, 0 SECONDS READ

Whether it's being linked with Jrue Holiday or , Brooklyn's Caris LeVert knows being thrown into trade rumors is just part and parcel of NBA life. He was warned as much as soon as he came into the league.

But don't think that makes it any easier.

"It's part of the business: They tell you that from Day 1 coming into it. Nobody is irreplaceable; guys get moved every single year," LeVert said Thursday via Zoom. "For us, we just have to be prepared for any situation.

"I try not to pay attention to it, but it's hard when you turn on TV and see certain things, when you turn on your social media and see certain things. I just worry about the team, myself, putting in work every day."

That offseason work with actually started several summers ago, long before the former scoring champ came to Brooklyn. And then LeVert has spent a significant chunk of this offseason working out with , with both Nets stars growing even more impressed with the young wing in recent months.

Durant and Irving reportedly didn't want LeVert dealt for Holiday, but it's almost impossible to see a way to land Harden without sacrificing him.

That's the backdrop under which LeVert opened training camp this week.

"This was kind of my first rodeo [regarding rumors]," said LeVert, 26. "Whatever happens, happens at the end of the day. I just try to think about it like that.

"I've spoken to [general manager] Sean [Marks]. I talked to Sean a lot, a couple times a week. Those things definitely come up, and he's been an open book, honestly, when it comes to that type of stuff. [We] have a great relationship, so if something does happen, I feel like I'll know about it. I feel like he'll tell me."

Marks handed LeVert a three-year, $52.5 million rookie extension before last season began, one that kicks in for this coming campaign. The young wing went out and averaged 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He was even better in the playoffs against Toronto, boosting that to 20.3 points, 9.5 assists and six boards.

Still, that was playing as a ball-dominant guard. With a career and team-high 29.5 usage rate last season - top 20 in the league - there are persistent questions about how he'll fit alongside Durant and Irving.

"We've talked countless times just about me being myself, being aggressive, picking my spots," said LeVert. "There'll be a lot of opportunities for myself, along with other guys, to be aggressive with so much attention on Kevin and Ky. So, it's just picking our spots, being aggressive and just trusting the work we've put in."

Much of that offseason work has been on catch-and-shoot, hardly his strength. While LeVert was Brooklyn's third- leading scorer last season, 14 Nets averaged more than his 1.7 points off catch-and-shoot, and 13 bettered his .321 shooting in those situations.

Granted, only 10.8 percent of LeVert's attempts were catch-and-shoot, but with Durant and Irving back, those attempts will rise. His efficiency in such situations will have to rise as well to be a suitable foil for Brooklyn's star duo.

"That hasn't been something I've been asked to do a large volume [of] in the NBA, honestly," said LeVert. "When I was in college, I did it a lot. That's something I'm looking forward to not even showing people that I can do, just doing it. I haven't been asked to do that stuff in the NBA, so I love playing off the ball. It's fun. I can't wait to do that this season. I think it's gonna be very beneficial for all of us."

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INFORMATION BOX

Jrue HolidayJrue Randall Holiday is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. [Wikipedia]

James HardenJames Edward Harden Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the of the National Basketball Association. [Wikipedia]

Kevin DurantKevin Wayne Durant, also known simply by his initials KD, is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association. [Wikipedia]

Caris LeVertCaris Coleman LeVert is an American professional basketball player for the of the National Basketball Association. He played for the Michigan Wolverines. [Wikipedia]

Kyrie IrvingKyrie Andrew Irving is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association. [Wikipedia] LATEST NEWS

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