PHOENIX — Caris LeVert’s climb from a risky, rehabbing draft pick to the foundational piece of the Nets’ rebuilding hasn’t been easy or instant. Much of it happened away from the public eye, as he put in sweat equity that’s now paying off.
LeVert leads the Nets into their game against the Nuggets on Friday averaging 20.5 points and also shouldering the burden of guarding the best opposing wing. It’s early, but a run at NBA Most Improved Player isn’t a stretch after last year’s finalist, Brooklyn teammate Spencer Dinwiddie, called him the Nets’ best player, and dubbed him Baby Max.