Cleveland Cavaliers: Sexton’s emergence raises probability of Hill trade

Eventually, the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to become sellers. They’ll move most, if not every, veteran on the roster in an attempt to flush the organization clean and begin the rebuild. Due to the quick emergence of Collin Sexton, George Hill might be the first vet to go.

Hill started the campaign as the team’s starting point guard and posted seven double-digit scoring performances in the first ten games to kick off the season. His scoring ability seemed improved from last season’s run with the Cavs and his confidence seemed higher with his role of being one of the leaders on the squad. As a result, his individual play appeared to be dazzling.

Unfortunately for Hill, he got injured at the wrong time. Now his days could be numbered in Cleveland, and it’s all because of a “Young Bull”.

In the four games Hill has missed, Collin Sexton has shown evidence as to why the Cavaliers selected him with the eighth overall pick in this past June’s draft. After being pulled away from a rather awkward backcourt of he and Jordan Clarkson, Sexton has seen his numbers drastically improve. In ten games off the bench, the rookie posted a scoring average of 10.5 points per game. In the four starts he’s had, his average has gone up to 18.7 points per contest.

Scoring aside, Sexton has shown more confidence in his overall game. His awareness on defense seems better and the factor of him playing with the starters improving that end of his game can’t be downplayed. His passing is more flowing and doesn’t feel forced, something that is very important in Sexton’s development.

Everything Cavaliers fans were clamoring for when the team drafted Sexton is finally arriving in full force. The energy the rookie is providing is showing up in most nights’ box scores, as Cleveland has remained close in three of the four games he’s started. Most importantly, he’s giving fans and the organization something to get excited about.

All of these reasons point to George Hill being the odd man out.

Sure, one could make a case as to why the Cavs could just play Hill in the backup point guard role. He could still serve as a veteran presence and provide some pop off the bench. But at 32 years of age, how much more can Hill give you?

At this moment in time, the team knows what it’s always going to get with the veteran. He’s a steady low-scoring guard who makes the smart play, one that won’t alter a game more than a couple times a season. He’s a luxury to have on your team but not a necessity. Quite frankly, Hill has peaked and the Cavs shouldn’t be playing finished products.

With Sexton presumably occupying the starting role the rest of the year, Clarkson should earn the backup role. He’s only 25-years old and though he’s still rough around the edges, he’s worth the investment because of his high upside. It makes more sense to involve him in this season’s plans than Hill, who’s on the back half of his career.

It’s not that Hill isn’t a serviceable point guard. But that’s the problem. Serviceable veterans are not what the Cavs are looking for right now. That’s what contending teams look for, not rebuilding ones.