Without missing any games in the 2020-21 NBA season, Caris LeVert had been feeling strong, healthy and at the peak of his game. But after to the recent blockbuster trade, LeVert was scheduled for his physical that came along with the tradeout what doctors found was worse than any injury. 

Over his career, LeVert has had a history with injuries, particularly with his legs and feet. Back in 2018, Levert broke his leg in gruesome fashion in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, leaving him out for the entire season. He thought no injury could get worse than that, not knowing that the real injury was building up on the inside. 

After LeVerts physical, doctors found out that a mass had grown in LeVerts left kidney, that had a chance of being cancerous. A solid mass could be a concern according to Dr. Clinton Bahler. “If it’s a solid tumor, meaning it has a blood supply, most of those are slow-growing cancers,” Bahler said. “So for slow-growing cancers they’re very unlikely to spread outside of the kidney until they get very large, say more than three or four inches or 10 centimeters.”

 “I hadn’t missed any games this season yet,” LeVert said. “I was 100% healthy so in a way this trade definitely showed and revealed what was going on in my body.” 

LeVert expressed his gratitude for the trade and showed that he is aware that the trade possibly could have saved his life. 

“I’m definitely looking at it from that side and definitely humbled to know that this trade could have possibly saved me in the long run,” LeVert said.

After the news had spread, The Indiana Pacers put out a tweet stating that he will be out indefinitely for further medical tests.

A reliable sports news analyst, Shams Charania who was one of the first to make the situation public,  tweeted out good news about LeVerts situation, stating that he has undergone surgery to remove the mass. 

LeVert stated his gratitude to the doctors, fans, family, and the trade on a recent instagram post, posted by LeVert himself.  

“Caris LeVert had surgery to treat kidney cancer. He will not need further treatment.” Charania said, “This is amazing news for LeVert, who will be out indefinitely.” 

It is almost unheard of to hear that a star caliber player had the chance to never play again due to an underlying disease. Without the trade, who knows how bad the mass could have grown and built up. Mike D. Sykes, a writer at the ForTheWin news site, writes about how the trade could possibly have been a factor in saving LeVerts life. 

“Without the Harden trade, it’s hard to tell when LeVert would’ve been diagnosed or how bad things would’ve gotten.” Sykes said, “Luckily, this was revealed early and he’s expected to make a full recovery. The James Harden trade really came right on time. Shoutout to LeVert. Get well soon.”

Cancer is a serious illness that can happen to anyone, even those we often perceive to be the most healthy like professional athletes. Without this trade-demanding physical, things could have quickly declined. No matter your workout routine or diet, Lavern’s story is a good reminder that you should always get physicals or to make sure your health on the inside is as good as the outside.