New York Knicks: 4 players NYK needs to target this offseason

The New York Knicks should target Collin Sexton via a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It’s time for the New York Knicks to move on from Elfrid Payton as the starting point guard. Tom Thibodeau seemed to understand that during the playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks as Payton played just 13 minutes total.

He started the first two games and then sat the last three. Derrick Rose played five games, starting the final three and played well, averaging 19.4 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game on 47.6 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from behind the arc. Furthermore, he only turned the ball over 1.6 times per contest.

But as well as Rose played, these averages aren’t sustainable over a full season, nor is he capable of playing starter minutes under Thibodeau as he turns 33 in October. It’s plausible that Thibodeau brings Rose back, as he trusts the veteran point guard, but if Rose does re-sign, it should be as a backup.

The real target for the Knicks should be Collin Sexton. Sexton completed his third year in the NBA after being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Draft. Cleveland reportedly is looking to trade Sexton and he is “very available” according to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd.

Sexton has been a consistent scoring threat over his three years in the league, but his most recent season was easily his most impressive. Over 60 games, all of which he started, he averaged 24.3 points per game on .475/.371/.815 shooting splits. He isn’t a great facilitator, but is undoubtedly a solid ball-handler and can produce offense from the backcourt — something the Knicks desperately need.

The Knicks struggled offensively, ranking as the 26th best team in terms of points per game with 107. Sexton would instantly improve that as well as fill the point guard hole that has been haunting the Knicks for over a decade — hence why Raymond Felton was New York’s best point guard of the 2010 decade, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.

While Sexton doesn’t necessarily have a strong defensive game, Thibodeau would make the most of the young point guard. Nicknamed “Young Bull,” Sexton isn’t shy of being aggressive and playing his heart out. With the Knicks, it’s reasonable to expect his defense to improve.

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Best of all, the Knicks wouldn’t need to give up much to get Sexton. The Cavaliers seem to be set on trading the young guard. And while a deal hasn’t been made yet, the Cavaliers traded for veteran point guard Ricky Rubio, further signaling the end to Sexton’s tenure in Cleveland.

With the 2021 NBA Draft settled, this trade would have to be altered. But the key component of the trade is that RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Mitchell Robinson are not included. Instead of the 2021 first-rounder, a future first-rounder could be included instead. If that’s all it takes to acquire the 22-year-old point guard, the Knicks should pull the trigger immediately.

If the Knicks do land Sexton, they’ll have Sexton under contract for one more year until he hits restricted free agency in 2022. But the Knicks would likely not make such a move without planning to sign Sexton long-term.