Cleveland Cavaliers: Ranking the 3 most valuable trade chips

Ranking the 3 most valuable trade chips: 1. Collin Sexton

Any fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers will likely know that Collin Sexton is on the trading block for the franchise, and that teams around the league are likewise interested. That makes it likely we see some sort of trade come together, whether that is the night of the draft or later in the offseason.

Sexton is a really good basketball player, and he does some important things very well. He can create offense on his own, last season frequently playing with the ball in his hands and scoring 24.3 points per game on a high 29.7 percent usage rate. He hit career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, 3-pointers and free throws per game as he grew into a dynamic scorer at the 2-guard position.

The reason the Cavaliers would move on from Sexton is that he is about to get very expensive. He is eligible for a rookie extension this offseason, and if he and the Cavaliers don’t agree to one he will become a restricted free agent next summer. Given his age and production, he and his representation will almost certainly push for a deal at or approaching the maximum allowed.

Moving him now on his rookie contract makes it easier for cap-strapped contenders to fit him into their roster. On the other hand, his pending pay raise is not a surprise to the teams trading for him, and complicates his value. If another team views Sexton as the missing piece, or a legitimate foundational piece, the Cavaliers should be able to move him for a significant return. Many other teams probably view him as merely a plus starter about to get expensive, but all the Cavaliers need is one team with affection for Sexton to make a move.

The New York Knicks are one of the most aggressive suitors for Sexton, while the Golden State Warriors have also been linked to him. The Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers all make varying amount of sense as potential trade partners.

If the Cavaliers decide to shake up the roster, moving on from Sexton is a great way to get maximum value to help build out this team in the future. Given his contract situation and where the Cavaliers are in their rebuild, now is the time to trade him. If the Cavaliers can get a premium pick or a middling first and a good prospect, it might be worth it to pull the trigger.

Whether the team trades Sexton, Nance or Allen, or elects to stand pat for now, this roster is filled with intriguing players who should be a part of trade talks. Unfortunately the player with the least trade value is Kevin Love, on a bloated contract and struggling to redefine his career after a myriad of injuries.

Finding the right trade partner is key, but there are plenty of options out there to allow the Cavaliers to continue to construct this roster in the best way to compete long-term. They have the trade chips to do just that.