The Sexton element, and LeVert as a potential trade piece
It still to a large extent appears that Sexton could very well be extended, but Fedor in the same podcast appearance mentioned how a potential extension could seemingly be in the $16-20 million range it seems. That’s with Cleveland more so aiming towards the $15-18 million spectrum, with Sexton/his camp in the $18-22 million realm, per Fedor’s report.
Sexton is of course coming off a season where he was only active in 11 games because of a torn meniscus, and did not play well. He was adjusting to a newer role, but he did only have 16.0 points per outing, and shot just 24.4 percent from three.
There are still sometimes where Sexton is forcing it too much and will have blinders on; fortunately, he’s shown growth over his time with Cleveland, and despite the splits, did demonstrate some continued strides as a passer early this season.
We’ve seen the scoring capabilities from him, anyhow, and he’s a capable catch-and-shoot guy from three, a valuable slasher that’s lightning quick, when healthy, and is a player that, no matter the circumstances, did have 24.3 points per outing in 2020-21. Sexton has hit 37.8 percent from three in his three-plus seasons.
Sexton was mostly healthy in his previous three seasons, and has not had injury issues at other levels. The guy will still only be 24 next January, which will be his fifth season, and he made strides as more so a secondary playmaker in Year 3, and in general, I do believe is a player Cleveland should want to have around, and they reportedly do, similarly to LeVert.
However, while there could potentially be a possibility for both to be around in the near future, it’s tough to say right now, and as Fedor hit on, LeVert’s deal ($18.8 million) could potentially be an expiring trade chip used next season.
I do get the reasoning for LeVert, who is a Columbus native, too, maybe sticking around, or Sexton possibly being moved, which Scotto did touch on Sexton perhaps being a trade chip whether that’s sign-and-trade or him being traded down the road.
To me, though, if they had to choose, which seems realistic, I’d probably Cleveland lean toward extending Sexton, despite LeVert being 6-foot-6 to Sexton’s 6-foot-1, and LeVert having better vision at this juncture. That’s also more so with another their upcoming #14 overall pick, potential for a solid backup point guard signing, and with the team having Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens and others for defense.
Anyway, what we’re getting at is the Cavs have to consider all the factors with a potential LeVert extension. While it’s not as if the Cavs aren’t, and they definitely are involving LeVert (who turns 28 in August), these Scotto and Fedor reports reiterated that.