Does LeBron James extension mean Collin Sexton will re-sign with Cavs?

Does LeBron extension mean Sexton will re-sign with Cavs? Effect on Sexton

The two biggest impediments to Collin Sexton re-signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers are money and role. The latter isn’t changing; Cleveland sees Sexton as a bench guard, not a starter, and in part their contract offer is tied to that. But it’s also tied to their space under the luxury tax this season, and their future cap space down the road.

Knowing that the Cavs don’t need to keep maximum cap space for next summer gives them more flexibility in the negotiations with Sexton. They could decide to increase their offer into the luxury tax now, knowing they will most likely avoid it next season and therefore not dally with the repeater tax too soon. They could also move Dylan Windler and Cedi Osman in a deal that frees up a little space now while committing to money for next year, opening up space under the tax and a roster spot for Sexton.

The flip side of the equation is that the Cavs still need a solution at small forward, and need to preserve some financial flexibility to work towards finding that solution. Will their offer to Sexton increase enough to move the needle?

The Cavs seem to genuinely want Sexton back, but also have a hard number they don’t want to exceed. Perhaps Sexton looks at next summer and sees LeBron as the first of many to sign extensions, leading him to take the qualifying offer and try his hand next summer. It’s also possible the two sides now have some flexibility to end the negotiations and bring Sexton back on a new long-term deal.