Constructing the perfect dream offseason for the Cavs

Constructing the Cavs’ dream offseason: Trade Sexton to Wizards

Adding Jones with the full Taxpayer MLE would mean the Cavs would be hard-capped, but more importantly it would push them up closer to a luxury tax line the organization will almost certainly try to avoid this season. It also communicates that the Cavs feel like their offense runs better with a player like Jones alongside Garland than a player like Sexton, given Sexton’s defensive weaknesses as well as his playmaking deficiencies.

Other teams around the league certainly value Sexton, however, on the back of his very strong scoring skills and relentless personality. The Washington Wizards are one team rumored to be interested in him, but would be hard-pressed to sign him to a lucrative offer sheet while still offering Bradley Beal the max. That opens the door to a sign-and-trade.

With this construction the Cavs bring back a solid wing in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who recently won a title starting for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Last season in Washington he hit 39 percent of his 3-pointers and plays solid defense. He’s a role player, but the kind of 3-and-D one that could absolutely start for the Cavs while they bring their rookies along.

Losing Sexton hurts; he is not the greatest fit with this roster and the financial cost of keeping him around is likely too much for this team to commit to, but he grew up with this team and genuinely seems to be loved by his teammates. At the end of the day NBA teams have to make tough decisions on players they like a lot; losing DeMar DeRozan, Monta Ellis, etc is hard but necessary to put together a contender.