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New York Knicks: Trading for Collin Sexton should be an offseason priority

By Allen Settle

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 04: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers brings the ball up court during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 04, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 04: Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers brings the ball up court during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on May 04, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
Collin Sexton, New York Knicks. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Why would Cleveland trade him to the New York Knicks?

Parting with Sexton is a curious notion in a vacuum. The former #8 overall pick posted career high’s across the board during his third NBA. The former Alabama superstar averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 48% shooting from the floor.

He also fits the same timeline as players like Jarrett Allen, Isaac Okaro, and whoever the Cavs select in this year’s NBA Draft. It seems like the perfect situation for both the player and the franchise.

So why would a rebuilding Cleveland team part ways with one of their most notable pieces? The answer is simple: Darius Garland. The emergence of Garland, who is both younger and a more natural fit for the point guard role, seems to have earned the nod as the team’s starting facilitator. In fact, he is currently listed atop the team’s depth chart as the position.

The Vanderbilt standout was a top-five pick in 2019. He also made a major jump averaging 17.4 points and a much more impressive 6.1 assists per game, despite playing one less season in the professional ranks. The franchise seems to believe in his abilities as a future building block. And they have every right to do so.

Sexton provides a better scoring punch as a combo guard. But Garland seems to be a more natural fit as the team’s future point guard.

This leaves Sexton, who has neither the size more shooting abilities to shift to the shooting guard spot, in an awkward state.

The biggest question is: How does Sexton fit with New York?

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