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Cleveland Cavaliers: Pros and cons of trading Collin Sexton or Darius Garland

By Tony Pesta

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 09: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers moves the ball up court against the Detroit Pistons in the first half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on January 9, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Cleveland defeated Detroit 115-112 in OT. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 09: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers moves the ball up court against the Detroit Pistons in the first half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on January 9, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Cleveland defeated Detroit 115-112 in OT. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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NBA Collin Sexton
Cleveland Cavaliers Collin Sexton (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Pros

Trading Collin Sexton or Darius Garland will accomplish one major thing for the Cavaliers: Freedom. Currently, the Cavs are locked into a backcourt duo that is as ball-dominant as they come. Moving away from this dynamic will open up opportunities for more players to feel involved in the offense.

A fourth of Sexton’s field goal attempts came after seven or more consecutive dribbles last season. Meanwhile, Garland averages the 23rd most dribbles per touch of any player in the league. Between the two of them pounding the air out of the ball, there isn’t much room for the rest of the team to gain rhythm.

This has led to frustration for a few members of the squad. In particular, Kevin Love let his anger boil over in the middle of the season as he grew increasingly annoyed with Sexton’s selfish playstyle.

Related Story. Cavaliers: Players not likely to return in 2020-21. light

This would be fine if Sexton and Garland were more effective with the ball in their hands. But, the Cavaliers were a bottom-tier offensive team and finished dead last in the Eastern Conference this something. It’s clear that something needs to change.

Shipping one of these guards opens up an opportunity for someone else to step in and shine. Kevin Porter Jr. is the first potential player that comes to mind as he has already shown to be an exciting prospect. He has shown raw ability to create his own shot at a high rate and has the tools needed to be a lockdown perimeter defender.

In the seven games in which Porter played 30+ minutes this season, he averaged 17.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He has been a streaky shooter from deep but posted a shooting clip of 46/45/77 during these games. The 19-year-old is ready to take on more responsibility with the team and trading Sexton and Garland will give him the opportunity to do so.

Then, there is the entire upcoming NBA draft which is loaded with quality guards. According to The Ringer, four of the top five prospects are guards. Killian Hayes, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton are the four best players in the draft in Kevin O’Connor’s eyes.

Hayes is a lethal three-level scorer while Ball is the best playmaker in the draft. Edwards has elite two-way potential and Haliburton is a trustworthy decision-maker with the ball in his hands. Each of these players could be considered upgrades from Sexton and Garland if the Cavaliers elect to start fresh with their backcourt.

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