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5 important goals for the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason

By Holden Walter-Warner

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 26: Kevin Love #0 talks with Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 26, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 26: Kevin Love #0 talks with Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 26, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 27: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter at Staples Center on October 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

5 goals for the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason: 4. Trade Collin Sexton

Collin Sexton has star potential in the NBA. However, the Cavs are going to be forced to choose between paying for Sexton or Garland, making this the opportune time to try and extract some value from the former.

Sexton, a former lottery selection, played just 11 games for the team this season. On November 7, he departed a game against the New York Knicks with a knee injury, which was later revealed as a torn left meniscus. Within a matter of weeks, it was confirmed his season was over.

The guard was playing well in his brief time on the court, averaging 16.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, the latter a career-high. But the scoring average was actually the worst in Sexton’s four-year career, while he was making less than 25 percent of his threes. His 2.1 assists per game were also a career-low.

At his peak, however, Sexton is an All-Star caliber player. In 2020-21, Sexton averaged 24.3 points per game, hitting 37.1 percent of his threes. He also averaged career highs in assists (4.4) and steals (1.0) that season, which was his third in the league.

Sexton will likely get a qualifying offer of around $7.2 million this offseason. After that, he’ll be due for a big raise when he becomes an unrestricted free agent following the 2022-23 season.

The star guard has expressed a desire to return to the team, telling The Athletic (subscription required) that he wants to keep playing in Cleveland. But with big decisions on the horizon, his future doesn’t appear clear to the franchise.

Coming off an injury and entering a contract year, it’s hard to pin down Sexton’s value on the trade market. If the Cavs can get some first-round draft compensation or a young, cheaper asset (or a player to fill the backup guard hole), it might be worth pulling the trigger rather than potentially losing him for nothing in a year.

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