Collin Sexton put up impressive counting stats in his third year for the Cavaliers — 24.3 points and 4.4 assists a game, shooting 37.1% from 3 — but is so ball-dominant in doing so his teammates are frustrated. The Cavaliers have to decide if some combination of Sexton, Darius Garland, and Isaac Okoro are the backcourt of the future in Cleveland, and it’s a decision coming up fast as Sexton is extension eligible this offseason.
After Tuesday’s lottery, the Cavaliers are picking No. 3 in a guard-heavy draft at the top — Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Jalen Suggs — which has sparked another report that Cavaliers’ front office is considering trading Sexton. This time via Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated.
Rumors of the Cavaliers being open to trading Sexton are not new, and it all comes down to money. Sexton and his agent are reportedly seeking max or near-max money in an extension. The Cavaliers already will have to pay Jarrett Allen this offseason to keep him as their center of the future — likely in the five-year, $100 million range — and if they pay him and Sexton what he wants, they will suddenly be a team with little cap space. That for a roster that may be improving but went 18-54 last season.
Garland took a leap forward this past season, Okoro shows promise, and if the Cavaliers draft a guard it may make sense to move on from Sexton. Whether Cavaliers GM Koby Altman can find a trade partner willing to send much back for Sexton remains to be seen, but expect the Cavaliers to kick the tires on offers at least.
