creaters

NEW YORK, ny - NOVEMBER 04: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts during the sport ... [+] against the New Orleans Pelicans at Barclays Center on November 04, 2019 in ny City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)

Getty Images
Caris LeVert is returning — and his return couldn’t come at a far better time.

LeVert is slated to play for the Nets on Saturday, a source confirmed, after missing the last 24 games following right thumb surgery.

Brooklyn has lost four straight, while going 12-12 without LeVert within the lineup.

The 25-year-old guard/forward has had flashes of brilliance when healthy. He shined within the playoffs last season, averaging a team-high 21 points per game on 49.3 percent shooting.

Prior to getting injured in 2019-20, LeVert had posted averages of 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. He also played a prominent role on the second unit, which has essentially become the primary unit with the team decimated by injury.

Since Kyrie Irving went down with a shoulder injury in mid-November, the Nets have ranked 25th in offensive efficiency and sixth in defensive efficiency. But their overall play has suffered for awhile now — unsurprising given the standard of the decimated roster — and therefore the losses have begun to compile .

Spencer Dinwiddie has risen to the occasion, and allowed Brooklyn to remain afloat. Since getting into the starting lineup, Dinwiddie is averaging 25.7 points and seven .1 assists, meriting serious All-Star consideration as a result.

The Nets put up 110 points per 100 possessions with Dinwiddie on the court over that span, but just 91 points per 100 possessions with him off the court, a staggering 19-point swing.

Brooklyn’s net-rating with Dinwiddie on the court is plus-2.3, compared with minus-4.6 with Theo Pinson within the game. Pinson may be a depth piece, but has been thrust into significant action given all the injuries.

Heading into the season, the Nets’ point guard depth chart read Irving/Dinwiddie/LeVert. That has since changed, of course, to Brooklyn’s detriment.

Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson has said that with LeVert being integrated back to the lineup slowly, he’d run the second unit at the beginning (though it’s unclear if/how Garret Temple’s right knee situation impacts that thought process).

Having another playmaker and shot-creator would be a big addition for a team that's clearly lacking at the position. When healthy, the Nets have the potential to possess four players that are excellent in those areas: Kevin Durant, Irving, Dinwiddie and LeVert.

But that they had only one at the instant , so having two should make a world of difference.

A lot are going to be expected of LeVert right off the bat. Various injuries have plagued him, and he features a lot to prove. together with his team reeling, now would be the right time to try to to so.