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Windhorst: Sexton the Cavs only untouchable player

By Quenton S. Albertie

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers only have one untouchable player in the NBA trade market, rookie Collin Sexton.

According to ESPN’s senior writer Brian Windhorst, while the rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t currently putting players — such as veterans Kevin Love and Kyle Korver — on the trade block, the only “untouchable” player on the roster is rookie point guard Collin Sexton.

There are many that won’t agree but this is the correct approach by the Cavs.

If the desire is to remain competitive and breed warriors in a competitive environment, then trading talented players like Korver and Love, high-character individuals who exude professionalism, is counterintuitive.

Furthermore, look at the current depth chart for the Cleveland Cavaliers:

PG: Sexton — Clarkson

SG: Hill — Smith

SF: Osman — Korver

PF: Love — White

C: Nance Jr. — Thompson — Zizic

It’s still plausible that Sexton, who was selected with the 8th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, could be moved in a deal for an All-Star, like Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker or Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard.

Then again.. Sexton will be on a rookie scale contract and under team control until 2022.

So from that standpoint, he could already be a better option than Walker (who will be an unrestricted free agent in 2019) and Lillard (who is owed $88 million before the summer of 2021).

Furthermore, while Walker (28-years-old) and Lillard (27-years-old) are All-Stars, they’re far older than Sexton (19-years-old). In fact, a lot of the popular players in the league are over 25-years-old.

The age difference between these players and Sexton matters because while many are in the latter stages of their career, Sexton is just getting started.

If a team is trying to remain competitive with an eye towards the future, then combination of youth and talent that Sexton possesses should trump the accolades of his veteran counterparts. Especially when considering the significance of the point guard position and their unfruitful attempts to replace the former franchise point guard, Kyrie Irving, with veterans like Derrick Rose, Isaiah Thomas and George Hill.

However, the primary reason that making Sexton “untouchable” is the correct approach?

He can be a perennial All-Star.

Sexton has elite speed, a high basketball IQ and his understanding of how to maneuver in the pro game is ahead of the curve. He’s averaging 18.8 points per game in Summer League, just 0.4 points per game off of his scoring average in college and a higher scoring average than every player picked ahead of him.

Sexton reads the defense well; knows how to adjust to defenses adjusting to him; is a willing passer even if he’s a scoring-minded guard; he feels out the bodies of defenders; knows how to change his speeds (he can still enhance this skill) and he’s been tutored by All-Star point guard Chris Paul along with a longtime NBA point guard in former head coach Avery Johnson.

Furthermore, while he’s displayed a solid midrange jumper, he’s been a better facilitator than advertised and plays an aggressive brand of defense not seen by a Cavs franchise point guard since Terrell Brandon.

As for Sexton’s character?

He’s a great young man who wants to be a leader and challenge the Cavs to exceed the expectations of the outside world.

He battles on the court, fearlessly. He’s focused on improvement and making the best impressions off-the-court.

With a personality-talent combo like that, he’ll be a terrific cornerstone for the Cavs.

Related Story: Cavs top-30 players of all-time

It would seem like they know that.