Cavs must seek #10 pick in potential Collin Sexton trade with Pels

Though one has to read into it with a grain of salt, and most looks to be of the hypothetical variety, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton has been a key player mentioned in trade rumors.

That appears to stem from Cleveland’s reported hesitance to potentially sign Sexton to a handsome long term deal this offseason, and from Sexton’s representation seemingly expected to seek a max contract extension.

Sexton looks to be a player on the rise, and had 24.3 points per game last season, and I firmly believe is a player the Cavaliers should look to keep around, and possibly the two sides could end up working something out, perhaps next offseason. Then, he’ll be a restricted free agent, if he’s not signed long term.

Nonetheless, the Sexton trade rumors have been there, and the New York Knicks and Miami Heat appear to have interest, and New York is “monitoring” the Sexton situation. You can view more involving reports on those two at this link, as an aside.

Recently though, while it’s not involving anything imminent, there was more on Sunday as far as Sexton rumors, to some extent. Jason Lloyd of The Athletic (subscription required) stated in a report that he gets the sense, at least, that Sexton is “very available” for a potential trade, although he doesn’t believe Sexton could feasibly net Cleveland a pick in the top half of the first-round of the upcoming draft.

That’s not exactly great, in that way.

In relation to other Sexton trade rumors from there, Evan Dammarell of Fear The Sword stated in a report that Sexton’s name is “popping up a lot more in trade chatter,” and that it feels as if “a rookie max extension is off the table.” Dammarell did also state in a follow up report that the Heat, Knicks and Indiana Pacers are interested in Collin.

To that point, another possible destination could be the New Orleans Pelicans, based on this tweet from NBA reporter Landon Buford.

Buford did report that talks have been “preliminary thus far, but that’s likely to change as we get closer to the 2021 NBA Draft.”

Now, one again has to read into this sort of report/rumor with a grain of salt, as Sexton has been a very productive player for Cleveland, and he and Darius Garland’s chemistry became much better last season.

If Cleveland were to consider a trade involving Sexton with New Orleans though, even while ideally I’d rather Cleveland potentially look to package their #3 pick, Sexton and Kevin Love for Brandon Ingram and perhaps Kira Lewis Jr., and even that I can’t say I’d do necessarily, that’s probably not realistic.

Even while Ingram has seemingly been a potential player that could perhaps become available, it still wouldn’t appear that likely the Cavs could deal for him; one would imagine other potential teams could have a better shot, if the opportunity were to arise at some point.

Anyhow, at least as far as the hypothetical involving a Sexton-to-Pels deal, one thing is clear to me. In that scenario, the Cavaliers would have to seek out New Orleans’ #10 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft; that’s apparent in that case to me.

Now, factoring in Lloyd’s report though, it doesn’t seem that highly likely New Orleans would consider that, unfortunately. But with the Pels reportedly looking to move their #10 pick for a veteran that could help currently, per Zach Harper of The Athletic (subscription required) and could be another solid option seemingly to go with Ingram and Zion Williamson, perhaps that could be Sexton?

Now, maybe if that were to be the case, the Cavaliers could be able to get a player to go with the pick such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who could fill in as a rotational combo guard that can run offense for you off the bench.

I’m not at all certain if that would be at all available however, and with Lonzo Ball’s impending restricted free agency, that’s wishful thinking on Alexander-Walker, likely.

Regardless, if you’re the Cavs in this case, in a potential Sexton trade with New Orleans, with it seeming unlikely a potential Ingram deal could come about where you’d frankly net him, with Sexton’s scoring abilities, you’d have to seek that #10 pick. That’s clear as day, if these negotiations do end up having legitimacy, perhaps near the 2021 NBA Draft.

In that sort of scenario, maybe Cleveland, if they were to end up taking Jalen Green or Evan Mobley at #3, could end up having a shot at Josh Giddey, Franz Wagner, Kai Jones or James Bouknight (if Mobley was the pick at #3)?

Giddey, who Harper had there, even while he seemingly stated the pick could be moved in that situation, could be a heck of a playmaker for you, as KJG’s John Suchan demonstrated. Giddey is also 6-foot-8, and even though he’s very young, did have 7.5 assists per game in the NBL this past season for the Adelaide 36ers. But the shot has questions.

With Wagner, he could maybe impact games on both ends for you, at least in theory, and is a multi-positional defender at 6-foot-9. The 6-foot-11 Jones could be somewhat similar in those ways, but is fairly raw and is a thinner big; that’d be more an upside play.

In Bouknight’s case, he’s a pure scorer and, in that scenario, could develop into a good starting 2.

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Anyway, the point is, while I’m not sure if the possibility could be there, if the Cavs were to legitimately consider a Sexton trade with the Pels, the #10 pick would have to be included from their side of things, in my opinion. Could the Cavaliers get that as part of a package?

I’m not sure there, but if not, they probably shouldn’t honestly consider a deal with New Orleans involving Sexton at all.

And honestly, I can’t say I’d be in favor of that kind of deal for Sexton, but if they couldn’t get something better elsewhere, I guess I could understand the reasoning from Cleveland if they don’t intend to pay Sexton down the road anyway.

Perhaps the two sides still can work something out though extension-wise that isn’t the max.

At any rate, while we’ll see as far as potential Sexton trade landing spots, if I’m the Cavs, I’m not that strongly considering New Orleans if the #10 pick is not involved as part of a package. Granted, multi-team deals could come about, sure, and we’ll see regarding Kevin Love/maybe Taurean Prince, who is set to be expiring.

But the #10 pick, which could maybe be a Scottie Barnes-type in that way too, would need to be included if I’m Cleveland and I’m sending out Sexton to the Pels. Collin is a proven 20-plus-point scorer in this league and is just 22. I get the contract situation sure; we do know what Sexton has proven already, though, and he’s a player that looks to be on an upward trajectory.

Now, no matter how serious potential talks with New Orleans do get, that sort of thing should be clear to the Cavs regarding #10.