Cavs: What Terry Rozier’s extension could mean for Collin Sexton

The Cleveland Cavaliers still have much work to do in regards to roster construction and contract extensions for current players should certainly fall under that category. One major asset in big man Jarrett Allen has already been re-signed and while one could make an argument that locking Allen up was the more pressing issue, taking care of guard Collin Sexton should still be a high priority.

And, after watching Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier ink a four-year, $97 million extension to remain in Charlotte, per a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, it’s fair to ponder whether or not Sexton should receive a deal that could mirror that or surpass it.

Rozier, now heading into his seventh NBA season, is still just 27 years old and fresh off a season in which he averaged 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 45.0 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from beyond the arc. That is solid production and while Rozier isn’t the focal point of the Hornets offense, he has grown into quite the two-way force.

I’d imagine that Sexton’s representation saw this deal as a great talking point in the continued discussions with the Cavs brass about his own extension. If Rozier was able to cash in on an extension that’ll pay him roughly $24.25 million a year over the next four, there is no reason why Sexton shouldn’t merit one that exceeds that.

The Alabama alum averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game on a field goal percentage of 47.5 percent, while canning 37.1 percent of his three-point attempts in Year 3. He’s managed to up his point production every season he’s be in the league and his playmaking, while still not his strong-suit, has gotten better as well. All signs point towards continued development for the young guard.

So what is the primary difference between the two? Defense.

Both guards are listed at roughly the same height and weight: 6-1, 190 lbs. But at this point in time, Rozier is the better overall defender. He only carries a career steal average of 0.9 but can be quite the pest when engaged. It’s not a stretch to think of him as one of the games better guard defenders.

Sexton is five years younger and is much better defensively than given credit for. He’s come off of back-to-back seasons of averaging 1.0 steal per game and when locked in on the less glamorous end of the court, can be an impactful defender. He may be never develop into an All-Defensive squad-caliber player but has shown the willingness to improve on that end.

The Cavs’ additions of Ricky Rubio and Evan Mobley this off-season should aid him there, too.

The bottom line…

Collin Sexton appears well on his way towards stardom especially if he continues along the current trend he has set for himself. He is much farther along at his age than Rozier was and although he may not command the rookie max extension which would top out at five years, $168 million, with what he’s shown thus far, he deserves to be paid accordingly.

As a side note, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com did state on an episode of the Wine and Gold Talk Podcast with co-host Hayden Grove that Sexton/his camp knows they’re “not getting the max,” but he express that Sexton/his camp will “ask for $100 million plus.” Fedor is not sure from that point, but the point is, Sexton should be paid handsomely, given what he’s shown already for the Cavs.

Now, part of a contract extension for a player coming off of a rookie deal is leveraging what they’ve already shown they’re capable of along with their potential to grow as a player. Here’s to hoping a deal is worked out that works for both sides.