Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton is reportedly available in the trade market. According to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd, the team is not willing to pay the young guard a rookie max extension. However, rumors of the guard potentially being traded are nothing new. The 22-year is looking for a max rookie extension and the Cavaliers would be cap-strained if they went forward with it. Cleveland is likely going to re-sign Jarrett Allen to a new max deal worth approximately $100 million. NBA teams have already expressed their interest in the guard. The teams reportedly interested in the guard include the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and the Miami Heat.
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Does Adding Sexton Make Sense?
It’s not surprising that the team is interested in the guard. Miami is in need of another scorer who can attack the rim. Kyle Lowry has been another target of theirs. Sexton could provide stability at the guard position and be their guard of the future. The young guard is coming off a great season that saw him average a career-high 24.3 points per game. While he has limitations as a playmaker, that’s something he wouldn’t have to worry about as much with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in the lineup. Sexton gives the Heat someone who can create his own shot and score in the mid-range area. Teams wouldn’t go under the pick and roll as they do with Butler.
The Five Reasons Sports network also reported that Miami has explored Sexton deals that could involve Cavaliers forward Kevin Love. Unlike Sexton, Love is coming off his worst season since his rookie year. Due to injuries, Love only played in 25 games and averaged 12 points per game. Miami, however, has a history of rejuvenating a player’s career. When healthy, Love could provide the spacing and crashing of the boards that Miami is lacking alongside Bam. To make this move, Miami would have to include huge salary fillers (Andre Iguodala, Goran Dragic) and a young piece like Tyler Herro.
The Downside
For Miami, this move means they’ll be committing a lot of money to multiple players. They’ll have to pay Sexton, who’s seeking a rookie max extension. They’ll have Love’s contract on the books going forward. Then there’s Duncan Robinson, their restricted free agent, who has to be paid this summer. Basically, you’re potentially going to have to pay Love, Sexton, Robinson, Adebayo, and Butler each north of $15 million this season. This will be the team going forward. The question for Miami is whether this move will make them one of the Eastern Conference elite teams next season.
While there are currently no serious talks going on, this is a situation to keep an eye on with the NBA draft and free agency approaching soon. Miami’s going through all their options to build a contending team around Butler and Bam. That includes chasing elite talent such as Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal, adding veteran guys like Lowry, or pursuing younger talents such as Sexton.
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