NBA: Biggest X-factor for all 30 teams in the 2019-20 season

Brooklyn Nets: Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert was the early-season favorite for the Most Improved Player award last year, averaging 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game over the first 14 games.

There were even whispers about a possible All-Star nod, but his hype train came to an abrupt halt following a foot injury suffered in mid-November.

After making a surprising return in February, LeVert struggled to close out the regular season but made up for it by putting up 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists during the playoffs.

Now fully recovered from an injury that should’ve kept him out for the entire season, the expectations for this burgeoning star continue to grow.

The Brooklyn Nets emerged winners of free agency after signing both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

Unfortunately, KD isn’t expected to suit up for the coming season in the midst of rehabbing his Achilles tear, leaving Brooklyn’s roster early similar to last year’s with Irving filling in for the departed D’Angelo Russell.

It’s for this reason not much growth is expected from the Nets coming on the heels of a 42-win campaign, but LeVert has the chance to change that. He missed 42 games last season and was fairly rusty upon returning to the lineup.

He’ll get plenty of touches with Durant on the bench and can remind the NBA world of the trajectory he was on before going down.

It won’t help Brooklyn contend for a title, not without KD, but his contributions can help a team that finished two games above .500 advance past the opening round.