Cavs sign and trade with Magic: Why Sexton would do it
Collin Sexton may genuinely love playing in Cleveland, but he also seems to love handling and scoring the basketball at a high rate. He probably can’t do both, and he certainly can’t do both while getting paid like a star player. If Sexton wants to make more money now and prove himself an offensive star, he needs to go to another team.
Orlando is a really solid fit for that, as their “co-star” slot is open alongside Paolo Banchero. Jalen Suggs or Franz Wagner could fill that role, but they look more like solid supporting pieces, good starters on a good team. Wendell Carter Jr. is likewise a really solid two-way center, but he’s not an on-ball star. The room is there for Sexton to spread his wings and attempt to soar.
The money in this scenario is $16.5 million, more than three million per season more than his offer from the Cavs. Sexton surely wants more, something like $20 million per season, but the realities of his situation and his lack of leverage make that exceedingly unlikely. $16-17 million seems like his ceiling for now.
The Magic seem to have a really solid foundation in place, so Sexton wouldn’t be shackling himself to the lottery. This seems like a good fit for him and one of the best situations he could land in for both playing time, scoring opportunities and future success.