The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the most entertaining stories in the NBA last season. Despite losing in the Play-In Tournament, they out-performed any and all expectations placed on them before the season began.
Injuries ended up derailing their season all year, with guys like Ricky Rubio and Jarrett Allen all missing significant time. But the one player who may have been missed the most was Collin Sexton.
However, with Sexton now being a restricted free agent, there are some questions surrounding whether or not he’ll be returning to Cleveland next year.
The two sides have yet to negotiate a new contract. So, while he may very well return to the Cavs, here are three sign-and-trades that would see the young guard find a new squad.
NBA Trades: 3 Collin Sexton sign-and-trades for the Cleveland Cavaliers: Utah Jazz
Jazz receive: Collin Sexton
Cavaliers receive: Malik Beasley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker
This trade would see the Jazz go in an interesting direction, while the Cavaliers would be snagging one rotational piece and one player they could take a chance on.
Beasley would be the primary return Cleveland would be getting in this deal. He would provide them with some added wing depth and another player who can create his own shot.
For the Jazz, this would definitely be an interesting decision, but as they attempt to reshape the roster around Donovan Mitchell, this risk could be worth it.
A backcourt of Mitchell and Sexton would be very undersized, but they would also score a ton of points. It would definitely be an offensive-minded moves, but as the Jazz look to restructure things, risks will be necessary.
NBA Trades: 3 Collin Sexton sign-and-trades for the Cleveland Cavaliers: Dallas Mavericks
Mavericks receive: Collin Sexton
Cavaliers receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, 2025 2nd-Round Pick
The Mavericks have a tall task ahead of them as they attempt to replace Jalen Brunson in the rotation. This trade would help them do that, while the Cavaliers would be getting some added depth.
Last season, Cleveland was a borderline playoff team even without Sexton. However, one of their biggest weak points was the wing position, and this trade would help with that.
Hardaway Jr. missed a huge chunk of this past season, but he would give the Cavs a huge boost on the wing. His shooting and sparkplug scoring would give the Cavs some major help on offense.
Green would primarily be a project piece for the Cavs, but his defensive game could help him earn minutes right away. He’s a versatile defender who the Cavs could take a chance on.
On the flip side, the Mavericks would be getting a young guard to replace Brunson in their lineup. Sexton would be a nice piece to pair with Luka Doncic in the backcourt.
Just two seasons ago, Sexton averaged 24.3 points per game on fairly solid efficiency. If he can replicate that success next to Doncic and continue to improve, the Mavs may even get more than what they bargained for.
NBA Trades: 3 Collin Sexton sign-and-trades for the Cleveland Cavaliers: LA Clippers
Clippers receive: Collin Sexton
Cavaliers receive: Marcus Morris, 2023 2nd-Round Pick, 2025 2nd-Round Pick
This deal could end up helping both sides. The Clippers would get to bolster their guard rotation while the Cavaliers would receive some needed help on the wing.
Cleveland already has a solid lineup set in stone, but the two areas they could use the most help are wing depth and offensive shot creation. Morris would provide them with both of those things.
Morris is a guy who can give you 20 on any given night, and would be able to average around 13 to 15 points for Cleveland on any given night. He, Darius Garland, and Caris LeVert would give the Cavs three guys who can create their own shot at all times.
Plus, the Clippers have reportedly been exploring deals for Morris this summer. He’s already on the market, so they probably wouldn’t hesitate too much to part ways with him.
On the side of the Clippers, this deal would give them some great depth at the guard position. They already signed John Wall this summer, but adding Sexton would help them at that position even more.
Sexton could realistically start at either guard position for LA, or, he could come off the bench and be one of the best sixth men in the league. It really just depends on how they would use him and Wall together.