Cavs Free Agency: 3 theories on why Collin Sexton isn’t signed

Cavs Free Agency: Why Sexton isn’t signed yet – Too far apart on money

Last autumn the Cavs and Collin Sexton discussed a new deal during the extension window for players entering their fourth season. Sexton was looking for something close to the max, while the Cavs were planning to pay Sexton like a solid bench performer.

Then the season happened, and the Cavs continued to move forward. Darius Garland blew up and made the All-Star Game, Sexton was hurt 13 games in and missed the rest of the season, and the Cavs traded for Caris LeVert and drafted Ochai Agbaji as options at the 2.

Cleveland is highly unlikely to cave at this point and pay Sexton like a high-end starter; if he returns, the question is how low he is willing to concede on the average annual value and whether he wants a four-year deal or gets back on the market sooner.

Handing Sexton a substantial deal hamstrings this team’s ability to build around Garland and Evan Mobley, and the combination of Garland and Sexton doesn’t work against most high-end competition. If the Cavs continue to hold fast around, say, $13 million per season, and Sexton wants $20, how do they meet in the middle and find a working compromise for both?