Cavs Free Agency: 3 theories on why Collin Sexton isn’t signed
Cavs Free Agency: Why Sexton isn’t signed yet – The Cap Space Plan
Currently, the Cleveland Cavaliers have eight players under contract for the 2023-24 season; when Ricky Rubio’s new deal becomes official, that will move to nine. Kevin Love and his large deal come off the books, as do Caris LeVert, Dylan Windler and Dean Wade. Robin Lopez and Raul Neto are only under contract for one year.
That means that right now, the Cavs could open up as much as $47 million in cap space next summer, and more if they waive Lamar Stevens or find new homes for Isaac Okoro or Cedi Osman. That’s enough to make a run at another max player to fill out this core.
That player could be a veteran, Khris Middleton or Harrison Barnes. It could be a restricted free agent offer to De’Andre Hunter or RJ Barret, or someone crazy like Jordan Poole. The wildest possibility of all that Cavs fans can’t stop talking about? LeBron James, coming home to The Land one last time at the end of his career to try and win another title.
To keep those max-level possibilities open, the Cavs could be hoping to either lowball Sexton or even maneuver him into taking just his $7.23 million qualifying offer and coming completely off the books next season — or having a smaller cap hold to then pay him to a higher level as a super-sub on a team where Darius Garland, LeBron James, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are the starters.
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Collin Sexton could just be taking his time in general, or waiting for the Cavs to work out a sign-and-trade with the Indiana Pacers for Ricky Rubio to carve out more space, or be part of negotiations for a sign-and-trade to an unexpected location. For now, however, the lack of activity is likely due to one or more of the above factors and sets the stage for an interesting resolution in the coming days.