Cavs: What Collin Sexton ‘looking monstrous’ means for him in year 3

Sexton should improve off-ball defensively for the Cleveland Cavaliers

The second key way I’d imagine Sexton having a bigger frame should have an impact for him in year 3 is the off-ball defensive aspect.

While his defensive rating of 117.0 didn’t really illuminate it, Sexton did make strides in 2019-20 in terms of his on-ball defense and more so deterring drivers/pull-up threats. He had 65 steals through 65 games in year 2, too, as compared to only 44 through 82 games in 2018-19.

Often defending players that were taller than the 6-foot-1 Sexton didn’t exactly aid him, but with Sexton having a 6-foot-6 wingspan, I believe that should over time, help him. Plus, so would being on the floor with a defensive upgrade at the 3 spot over Cedi Osman, such as Auburn’s Isaac Okoro, for instance.

Either way, though, Sexton does need to show more progression when it comes to off-ball defense, and getting through off-ball screens to contest/deter catch-and-shoots better would aid him in the team defensive sense. And to me, the second key area that a bigger frame for next season for Sexton could be improved is again, getting through off-ball screens more consistently.

Sexton will need to get better in relation to his feel there, sure, but he did still seem to have his share of issues off-ball and would get screened out away from the ball too often last season, and for young guards, that often happens.

For the currently-21-year-old Sexton in year 3, though, with how quick he is and already accounting for his speed, a stronger frame should only help him stay near-attached to his primary assignment.

It’ll be interesting to see what Sexton, who is currently listed at 190 pounds, weighs in at next season. Him “looking monstrous” is admittedly subjective, but with Sexton’s tireless work ethic and commitment to getting better, this report is a very noteworthy one.