Cleveland Cavaliers trading Collin Sexton would be a mistake

Cavs: Potential Sexton trades

There are a plethora of teams who have expressed interest in making a trade with the Cavaliers to add Sexton to their roster, and the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans seem to be the most legitimate.

With all of these rumors swirling around and mock trades being thrown around, it may be set in stone that he will be moved from the Cavs.

But in these hypotheticals, the Cavaliers are not getting close to a player/return of equal value.

The Knicks could reportedly end giving up a package of Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox, and one of their 2021 first-round picks in return for Sexton. This would be an absolute robbery for the Knicks.

Toppin had a lackluster rookie season in which he only averaged 4.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. It is also important to keep in mind that Sexton is still younger than Toppin despite being in the league for two more seasons.

Secondly, Knox has had a very disappointing NBA career up to this point. He has seen a large regression since his rookie season. He went from starting in 57 games and averaging 12.8 points per game in his rookie year to coming off the bench in every game and only averaging 3.9 points per game in his third season.

Finally, regardless of the first-round pick the Cavs got from the Knicks, it would fall into the middle/later part of the first round. Trading someone like Sexton for two benchwarmers and a first-rounder that is out of the lottery would be laughable.

From there, the only player that’s been as part of a trade package that could be viable is Tyler Herro, but Herro has been in a great situation with Miami and with Cleveland, it’s difficult to say how he could pan out following this.

And from there, perhaps the Pacers could have interest in a deal involving the #13 pick and potentially Justin or Aaron Holiday? Either of those though, would be less than ideal.

We previously touched on the Golden State element/how Dammarell suggested that #14 pick could be involved in a potential package for Cunningham, but would Detroit consider that? That’s a question mark in itself, and otherwise that/with salary matching/another throw-in wouldn’t be the greatest move if it didn’t lead to a corresponding one.

Lastly, regarding New Orleans, really something not involving Brandon Ingram and salary matching, which it wouldn’t seem would other than including Cleveland’s #3 pick/Kevin Love (salary matching too) would appear to be wise, and it’s unclear if the Pelicans would go for that, even.

In any case, there should be no rush for Cleveland to get Sexton off of the team. He is a young and talented player who will likely have his value only increase as he continues to prove himself in the NBA.

Unless he has already expressed that he does not plan on re-signing with the Cavs, it would be idiotic for him to be traded from Cleveland.