Caris LeVert accepts leadership role in crucial year for Brooklyn Nets

Draft night, summer of 2016:

The Brooklyn Nets are hosting the event as usual and their pick is highly anticipated for two reasons: One is that they traded Thaddeus Young for this pick. The second is that it’s Sean Marks’ first pick as GM.

Adam Silver walked out on the stage and announced the 20th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, was ... Caris LeVert! The background said Indiana, but everyone knew this was Brooklyn’s pick.

A loud “WHO?” echoed in a somber Barclays Center. The media room, filled with Nets’ writers, were stunned. A 21-year-old barely off crutches following his third foot surgery? Really?

Now, LeVert is the one everybody wants to talk about after a crucial off-season in the gym on…