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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 realistic expectations for Collin Sexton

By Nathan Beighle

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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: Collin Sexton poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: Collin Sexton poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, 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 Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Expectation No. 1: Earn the starting role

It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.

Collin Sexton is bound to be the leader of the Cleveland Cavaliers eventually, and I fully expect that to take place this season. However, George Hill should be the Cavs starting point guard come opening night.

Lue prefers to go with trusted veterans, but eventually, he’ll have to allow Sexton to shine. As we’ve displayed, Sexton has already shown enough to take the reigns of the team, and as one of the Cavs top playmaking threats, it’ll be intriguing at what point he’s given the keys.

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While the team was far less developed as a whole, when Kyrie Irving was drafted, he was the starter opening night, scoring just six points in his debut. A more likely situation is when De’Aaron Fox was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Ironically enough, Fox was drafted to the same team that had recently signed George Hill, creating almost the exact same scenario.

It took 14 games, two of which Fox started, before he secured the permanent starting role. However, Hill wasn’t relegated to the second unit. The move shifted Buddy Hield to the second unit.

This is almost exactly the same situation which we could see this season. Sexton could take over and shove Hill’s pass-first style play the two. Hill’s elite shooting from deep would help Sexton’s driving, and his playmaking would help relieve some of the pressure put on Sexton.

Ultimately, I’d expect it to be just 10-15 games before Sexton is permanently placed as a starter.