After suffering a torn meniscus 11 games into last season and missing the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign, and with only a couple of rival teams with cap room, restricted free agent Collin Sexton has found himself in a tough spot. The Cavaliers, who drafted Sexton No. 8 overall in 2018, have reportedly offered him a deal worth close to $40MM over three years, which certainly seems low for a scorer of his caliber, and that’s why he hasn’t accepted it.
Despite the negotiating impasse, the Cavs are projecting “a lot of confidence” that Sexton will be on the roster in ’22/23, as Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com said a few weeks ago.
Sexton is reportedly seeking “starting guard money” with an annual value of $20+MM per season, and Fedor previously reported the two sides were discussing a deal in the range of $72MM over four years prior to last season. Multiple factors seem to have convinced the Cavs to change that price tag.
Sexton’s injury and dry market, the addition of Caris LeVert, and the team’s proximity to the luxury tax line (roughly $13MM below) are all reportedly part of Cleveland’s thinking in extending a lower offer. The Cavs would also have to make a roster move to bring back Sexton, as the 15-man roster is already full, but that isn’t as big of a deal as the other factors.
If the Cavs don’t increase their offer, and Sexton decides against accepting it, he could also sign his $7.2MM qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent in 2023, at which point he’d be able to test his value on the open market.
At 23 years old, Sexton has plenty of time to continue to improve. He was one of the NBA’s most underrated scorers from 2019-21, averaging 22.5 PPG and doing so efficiently (.474/.376/.828 slash line, including a 56.7% true shooting percentage).
However, there are some holes in his game. Standing just 6’1″, Sexton has been a high-volume, high-usage scorer, but he isn’t a point guard, averaging just 3.3 APG over his career, and since Darius Garland is also only 6’1″, having two small guards starting in the backcourt is an awkward fit on both ends of the court. Sexton also isn’t a great rebounder, averaging only 3.0 RPG in 218 NBA games despite a heavy workload (32.9 MPG).
The Cavs were the NBA’s worst team in Sexton’s first three seasons, and while that isn’t necessarily on him, the team did perform better with him off the court in each of those seasons. It also doesn’t help his cause that Cleveland found its most success during his tenure when he only played 11 games, going 44-38 and reaching the play-in tournament.
In theory, the team’s offense should definitely be better with him back, but the defense might decline, and that’s where the Cavs shined last season, ranking fifth in the league in defensive rating. Defensive concerns have led some to suggest that Sexton might be better served as a sixth man, but I think Sexton is a better player — and much better shooter — than LeVert, the other primary candidate for the second guard spot, so I wouldn’t go that far, but I understand the logic to some extent.
I believe Sexton is worth at least $15MM per season, and it’s unfortunate the way things have played out, because he’s a hard worker and said to be a good teammate. Having said that, the Cavs seem to hold all the leverage right now.
We want to know what you think. Where will Sexton end up in ’22/23? Will he accept a seemingly lesser offer for more long-term security? Will an unexpected suitor emerge? Or will he simply accept his qualifying offer and test the unrestricted free agent waters in 2023? Head to the comments section and share your thoughts on Sexton’s future.
Could the Celtics somehow be a fit, unloading Derrick White? Brogdon to the starting lineup, but Sexton on the 2nd unit as offense off the bench, which was sorely lacking last season….though improved this offseason.
White>Sexton on the celtics. White can switch on anyone and do reasonably well. Sexton cant even guard his own size.
He is 23. Take the 3/40.
In 20-21 he averaged 24.3 pts a game. His value is far higher than 13 million per season. But Right now 28 teams go over the luxury tax if they sign him for even 15 million. That leaves 2 teams who can afford him. The Mav’s want him but don’t have anyone the Cav’s want on sign and trade. I’m sure they would be OK with taking Luka Doncic on sign & trade but the Mav’s aren’t that stupid. The Spurs are the other team & they have nothing the Cav’s want. Both teams know that if they try to sign him the Cav’s will match so sign & Trade is the only way they can acquire him. so the Cav’s have all the leverage. But if he plays on the QO this year he can sign with anyone next year and most teams will be able to afford him at 20 million a season.
Agree that he’s worth more than the deal he’s been offered however the current market does make it extremely hard for him to get that kinda money. Clearly he wants starting guard money as you would as a 20+ points per game scorer however with little to no interest from other teams it’s clear the rest of the league doesn’t view him like that.
Hopefully he and another side can meet in the middle and agree to pay him a decent amount on a shorter term deal so he can test out free agency again sooner.
Take the Jerami Grant approach that Detroit did.
Let’s say the Spurs give him 2 years 30mil deal with a player option. That equates to more money per season than the Cavs offer, the chance to become a starter on the Spurs and also test FA again sooner.
The Spurs who are now in tank mode get someone who is apparently a good team mate and who’s been in the league a few years now so could be good for helping the other young guys on that side. If he plays well the Spurs could also cash in on him in a trade and get back picks.
Sexton wins cause he gets more money, the chance to prove himself as a starter and can hit FA again sooner. The Spurs in this example would win cause they get someone who can be a leader for their young guys, doesn’t cost to much (they have loads of cap space anyways) and they should hopefully be able to cash in on him and get back a first round pick or more.
Doesn’t have to be the Spurs, could be a number of teams. I just think they make the most sense cause they have loads of cap space, could do with a leader and don’t have a clear cut point guard either.
Only reason he hasn’t been signed either at or higher than his asking price is bc he’s a restricted free agent. If he takes his QO, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent & his market will be much wider open. In fact he could be the most highly sought after free agent guard next summer along w/ Kyrie & D’lo if he continues to play the way he’s played throughout his career… Spurs gonna ride with Primo, Tre Jones & BWesley as their lead guards & they’re more focused on developing those youngsters than actually winning games
Primo and Wesley are SGs and Jones is the only real point guard on that team. I understand it about development and stuff but I think like the Piston did with Jerami Grant they should invest in Sexton and use him to be their leader. He is apparently a good team mate and he’s at that age where he will fit in with both the young guys but be old enough to somewhat lead. If it doesn’t work out well it’s only a sort term deal, either way you can trade him cause he’s got a very moveable contract and hopefully it works out and he can help those young guys and the Spurs and get back a first for him in a years time.
But I mean it doesn’t have to be them either, he could work at the Jazz (post Donovan Mitchell), Rockets, Wizards, etc
Cav’s can match any offer the spurs make without going over the cap because they own his Bird rights. Spurs can only get him via Sign & trade. Problem is they havenothing the Cav’s want.
Seems like a perfect fit for the lakers. Too bad they don’t have any money left
Not at all. There aren’t enough balls on the court for him and LBJ. Sexton never met a shot he wouldn’t take. It would take a week or less for LBJ to freeze him out for not passing to an open man and then you’re playing 4 on 5 offense and defense because Sexton only plays matador defense.
Agbaji will be starting sg for Cavs.
He is better than any other wing on Cavs roster.
He’s not better than sexton or garland
I’ve just liked this, but both Garland and Sexton are guards not wings. And @V is right Agbaji is or will be better than any of their other SF’s. Garland, Sexton, Agbaji, Mobley and Allen would be their best line up.
@V
Who knows what he will be? Time will tell. But it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Be can see significant minutes playing between SG and SF. Excited to see how these young guys are utilized and if they can mesh together.
Agbaji will get a lot of his minutes at Small Forward with Both Sexton & LeVert being ahead of him at SG. Agbaji will play SF when the team needs to go small or to hit 3’s.
Sexton would be so nice replacing westbrook, but seems like that would be impossible, if I were him I would just sign the qualifying offer and hit unrestricted free agency after the season when more teams have cap room
Cleveland does not want to be a repeat tax team so they are not going to pay Sexton. He will have to take the QO soon. He should take the most he can get. Tomorrow is not promised to you.
Take the QO show you are healthy and get paid next year as the cap rises. Agree with sankara,top free agent scoring guard behind kyrie and Russell.
I’d def take Collin over D’lo
I actually agree with you today.
I read an article before the draft saying he would love to team up with Cade Cunningham in Detroit but with the Pistons getting lucky and drafting Ivey not sure how that fits. I mean there’s no question Cleveland would match the offer sheet. He could be a decent fit in Toronto or even Dallas and taking Brunson’s spot.
He should take the QO and next season the Cavs can pay him more and have him in the 6th man role. With Kevin Loves contract coming off the books he can get a reasonable pay day.
It should be a priority for Sexton (and his agent) to avoid him having to take the Q/O. It’s artificially low here. There are ways he can do much better, short and long term, and security-wise, and still stay within CLE’s payroll parameters.
I don’t see how Indiana could hurt signing him to a one year deal.
explain how and why that would happen?
Pacers aren’t a bad option. Halliburton can make up for his low def. He’s a better scorer than Halliburton so he would pull his weight that end. A S&T would work for both teams.
Maybe Duarte who looks good and is still on a rookie scale and a 1st. I like Duarte but Sexton is much better right now. Giving him and a 1st for a 20+ player is a no brainier. Granted they have heild who is also a 20+ with poor D but he’s also 30 this year and has most likely peaked. Sexton is a free hit for a team with their star being 22.
Sextons value is comically low so any team that has the capability and are light at the guard should take a chance on him.
With what money? And where would they play him? I don’t see them sitting Mathurin to play Sexton.
Theis, Heild, TJ they have a lot of good role players for matching?
And Mathurin is not better than sexton yet if ever, play him at SF then SG when Sexton isn’t playing. He will still need to prove himself like everyone. It’s like telling GSW to move Wiggins last year because they drafted Kumminga.
Hield might make sense in spite of the 6 year age difference. But the other 2 play positions the Cav’s are overloaded at. Even Hield plays Shooting guard and the team has a small army of those. The teams only real need is at Small Forward. Of course they need their current players to become stars but every team needs that. Of course we have a salry or 2 we could unload so we can afford to pay Sexton.
I wouldn’t do the 3 year deal, maybe a 1 yr w a player option to mutual option at 14M per.
Better than the QO and he can still become a FA.