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5 things that must happen for Collin Sexton to win Rookie of the Year

By Doug Patrick

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEAGS, NV – JULY 16: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 16, 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 VEAGS, NV – JULY 16: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 16, 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) /

2. The Cavs must increase their pace.

Collin Sexton fits best on a Cavs team that pushes the tempo.

They ranked twelfth in pace last season, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t finish higher this year.

Nance Jr. has talked about snatching rebounds and bringing the ball up himself this offseason, younger and more athletic players like David Nwaba and Sam Dekker are replacing older and slower veterans.

Love can still throw full-court bombs to poachers waiting beneath the opponent’s basket.

Sexton’s speed and relentlessness when attacking the basket could make him the perfect point guard to run an offense barreling down the court at 100 miles per hour.

Though DraftExpress has criticized Sexton for getting “too sped up at times,” he may just need time to learn the rhythm of an NBA fastbreak to become more comfortable and confident when in transition. A team that looks to consistently run the break will give Sexton plenty of opportunities to fine-tune his senses. Playing with smart veterans like Love, Kyle Korver and George Hill will only accelerate this process.

DraftExpress also believed he needed to “polish his point guard skills” and that he is a “flash over substance passer.”

By playing downhill, Sexton will be forced to make decisions in a simplified but lightning-quick matter. With less time to think, Sexton could prove a more pragmatic passer, needing to make the best pass to keep the team in rhythm rather than the homerun one for a score. At Summer League, he demonstrated a willingness to set up teammates on the break.

Sexton could use the open court to create better opportunities at the rim while also learning to make easier and smarter passes.