With the third pick in the 2021 draft now headed their way, the Cavaliers are set to consider a litany of offseason moves, including the possibility of trading 22-year-old combo guard Collin Sexton. However, sources close to Sexton anticipate that he will be part of the club’s long-term outlook, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
“Our guys are hungry. I think they understand that there’s talent here and that has to now translate into wins at some point,” team general manager Koby Altman said at the conclusion of the Cavaliers’ season, when the team finished with a disappointing 22-50 record. “It’s on me to help supplement that young talent and it’s on (head coach J.B. Bickerstaff) to keep growing the culture here.”
The 6’1″ Sexton shares an undersized starting backcourt with fellow 6’1″ recent lottery selection Darius Garland. Sexton had a standout season statistically, averaging career highs of 24.3 PPG and 4.4 APG, while tying his career highs of 3.1 RPG and 1.0 SPG.
There’s more out of the Central Division:
- Given that they’re now armed with the No. 3 overall pick, it’s fair to expect growth from the Cavaliers next season, writes Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. “I don’t want to put the pressure and the burden on the young core that it’s playoffs or bust, although that’s sort of what they’re talking about,” GM Koby Altman told Lloyd on Bally Sports Great Lakes’ “Drennan Live.” “If it’s the play-in tournament, if it’s playoffs, that’s where their mindset is and what they’re thinking about every day.” Lloyd notes that his preference would be to trade leading scorer Sexton, eligible for a lucrative contract extension this summer, in exchange for a proven veteran.
- The Cavaliers will have a lot of optionality during the 2021 offseason, as Bobby Marks of ESPN details in a detailed look at Cleveland’s summer. Marks contends that, with a high draft pick in a loaded, top-heavy 2021 draft, the Cavaliers will be able to build on their intriguing young core of guards Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, wing Isaac Okoro, and center Jarrett Allen, should the team opt to retain everyone. Marks notes that, because the Cavaliers’ salary cap is clogged with veteran contracts, the team needs to maximize the on-court value of those pricey veterans, including former All-Star Kevin Love.
- Though Bucks All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t get along with swingman Khris Middleton during their first season together in 2013/14 as they battled one another for playing time, Antetokounmpo says he trusts his sharp-shooting sidekick “to death” now, as Eric Nehm of The Athletic writes. With the Bucks just two wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance in 47 years (not a typo), Middleton put on an offensive clinic in a triumphant Game 3 victory over the Hawks, pouring in 38 points to go along with 12 rebounds and seven assists. “It’s great seeing this guy, man, the way we started, the way we are, the way he started and the way that he is right now, just closing games,” Antetokounmpo said. “That’s what we need from Khris. We need him to be aggressive. We need him to be taking over games, make good decisions, and play off him.”
The CAVS should just continue with their organic development, then target Bronny James down the road.
They get Bronny, daddy comes home (again) bringing with him his Klutch clients, er I mean pals …….. playoffs, baby.
Expectations are around 23-59, as per usual.
That’s hilarious! Making a joke about the Cavs being bad, who would have thought of that??
You’re expecting way to much if you think Wally will deliver more than that. He is a troll.
Expectations are Cavs will be better than Rockets. Shut up already. Start scouting Mobley. Spend your time wisely and know the talent. Instead of trolling for responses.
“The Cavaliers will have a lot of optionality during the 2021 offseason”
Alex, I think I would have written that as “options” instead. Much less fussy.
Unless that was the word Bobby Marks used in the original piece, and you were quoting him.
It sounds like a rising buzzword for execs. Works better for allowing the option of turning down options… if they don’t “blow away” anyone… if the options are underblown, just shifting breezes.
Is optionality really a word? Lol. I agree it sounds awkward.
the cavs should trade Sexton before they have to pay him, hopefully get a vet back to help mentor Garland
Could be Rubio (next page) in a 3team trade sending Simmons to MIN, losing Sexton.
What’s wrong with paying him? Clearly, Gilbert had no problem overpaying an oft injured over 30 Kevin Love. The Cavs have an uphill battle in trying to attract players that WANT to come to Cleveland. They will constantly be in a situation where they have to overpay and usually for players in decline traded for or FA just wanting one last check with the hope of being traded or bought out at some point to join a contender. To have an abundance of talent is as blessing. To trade Sexton with the hopes of drafting a player to replace him is absurd. Absolutely no guarantee that player will fulfill expectations. Keep Collin. Extend him. Move Love thru trade or buyout. Pile up talent and if they all hit, what a wonderful “problem” to have. Sexton seems like a willing to learn guy. He’s had 3 different coaches and staff and only Delly as a mentor to teach him. Coach him to be better defensively but to factor in these bullshit metrics that say he’s bad defensively and ignore the high scoring coupled with efficiently is stupid. So what if he’s not a pure point guard. You have a Garland that can handle that. What 24 ppg player have they had not named LBJ or Kyrie? Exactly. Don’t trade him. Coach and build around him.
So trade a young 24 or stud for a vet to back up an mentor Garland? Absurd. You can get those types thru FA. Koby should be fired if he did that.
The main asset is the 2023 first.
The team does better with a true 1 like Delly, but that has not rubbed off on Garland yet, and Delly may be done now. So Rubio next, hopefully healthier, certainly well-rested, then expires.
Not sure Altman/Gilbert will take Beasley on character, so they would have to have something lined up to move him on, so to join the trade. I have not heard it’s a negative contract though.
MIN+PHL both have good smaller pieces to substitute, and are both under pressure. Indeed PHL also has TobiasH available. I am sure PHL and CLE have things to discuss regardless.
If Beasley has a negative value than forget it. Does he?— even though he came through on his new 4-year. I don’t like him but that’s just me. Somehow he can get Harris though.
Aaaaaa scotch the trade. I will put together another.
I think there will be a lot of trading this offseason. I wonder if Philly will deal both Simmons and Harris. Reed too
Sorry… Sexton is far superior than Delly or Rubio and it’s not debatable. Could careless what WORV might say. An NBA player that can score 24 pts of on 48%/37%/82% shooting is more valuable than ok sissy guys who have week FG % guys with limited range. In the case of Rubio he’s owed around $17 mil per.
Of course he is. That’s why the quite high first in exchange.
Check out the on/offs though… Delly’s is always better (except when he’s in Milwaukee). Sexton is getting better at that, like he is in general, but I think physical, visual Rubio can do what Delly does. It’s getting value for Beasley that I worry about. Cavs don’t need a SG even if Sexton leaves.
BTW what kind of extension should Sexton be offered?
I’m 50. Born and raised in Milwaukee. Nearly a half century of good but not great teams. Moncrief, Cummings, Lanier, Sikma, Allen. Let’s get it done!
Adding Junior Bridgeman and Brian Winters to the list. Sam Cassell too. Some really good but not quite great teams. Geez forgot Marques Johnson. Probably forgetting some good players.
Gary Payton – that dude could shoot…
“With the Bucks now just two days away from their first NBA Finals appearance in 47 years (not a typo)…”
Two days away, huh? Ironic typo…
Giannis & Khris battled hard early on… When Kidd was HC. It worked
funny how this piece is juxtaposed. you have the Cavs with a young core and a lot of disappointment, and the bucks who were in the same place 7 years ago with two young stars. Granted I think the Cavs will keep sexton just because they let porter go, and likely will do the same with Allen too. Which star can you even trade Sexton for that is proven? Ben Simmons?
I think the Cavs should work with Portland. Sexton and Love for CJ Little and whatever.
That deal makes no sense for either team. They are basically the same player. CJ is owed 3/$98 mil and 7 years older. It doesn’t make Blazers better and the Cavs would probably get an extension doe longer and lesser average per year and get a guy who still has room to improve. Im assuming Portland wants to add to the team a difference maker.
Yeah but… Okay. Love gets to a good situation. Cavs defense still blows. That’s Nassir Little, a 6-5 leaper, who does best inside, so is likely a tease.
They should call up the Thunder and ask them if they want another 1st or 2 to take Kevin Love.
Would look trade Nance and Cedi as well to open up more cap space. Those 2 really don’t have the upside to bring the Cavs out of the lottery.
Would target John Collins. Lot of teams should be, would take a max offer from the Cavs. Match whatever Allen gets.
Allen, Collins, Green/Kuminga/Barnes, Sexton, Garland. Still think Okoro would be better off the bench.
Maybe use Prince in a deal to bring in another wing or veteran guard. Much more promising outlook than with Love, Nance, Cedi.
Sexton has never met three things: 1) a shot he wouldn’t take; 2) a pass he would make; 3) a teammate on the court.
Cmon. Sexton celebrates assists. Who does that. Maybe Beverly, among other antics.
More importantly he shoots 48/37/82. He’s delivering on his shot. He’s not a volume shooter like Harden or Westbrook. How many guards shot better than him? Fox, Curry, SGA, Paul, Kyrie, Beal, Luka, Middleton and Jamal Murray. That’s a short list. He’s NOT a true point guard. Fine. That’s Garland’s job. He did average 4 apg. Cavs have other playmakers too like Garland (6pg), Nance (3pg) and Osman (3 pg).
He’s also young (23), been trending upward each year in FG%, PTS and APG and has held steady in his 3pt career shooting at 38% and FT at 83%. Furthermore, he’s had 3 different head coaches and staff in his 3 seasons and no veteran to learn from other than Delly. This guy is a competitor and willing student. In a steady coaching environment he can be taught to play better consistent team oriented defense and passing although 4 apg from an off ball guard is pretty decent.