Should Knicks pursue guard Collin Sexton in sign-and-trade deal?
The New York Knicks could have an exciting or rather boring trade period/free agency. Hopefully, the first option is what happens, but within reason. New York’s front office needs to make calculated moves during the offseason, and one of those moves could be acquiring Collin Sexton.
The No. 8 overall pick of the 2018 draft has been in Cleveland for all four years of his career, but his 2021-22 season was cut short to 11 games due to a torn meniscus that he suffered last November.
As we know, the young Cavaliers team was far better than they were expected to be this past season, although they weren’t able to make it past the play-in tournament.
Would Cleveland have made it to the playoffs with Sexton? It’s likely. The Cavaliers traded for Caris LeVert, so if Sexton does end up on a new team this summer, Cleveland wouldn’t be left high and dry.
Since Sexton is only 23 and has plenty to offer, the Knicks should be monitoring the ongoing situation in Ohio.
Would Collin Sexton be a good fit for the New York Knicks?
Sexton was the starting shooting guard for the Cavaliers and their top scoring option, but with Darius Garland’s breakthrough season and Evan Mobley’s emergence on the scene, the team could have to part ways with him.
He has a qualifying offer of $7.2 million for the 2022-23 season, but he could command a contract from another team that’s worth around $14 million annually, and maybe even more.
Cleveland’s GM Koby Altman has expressed that he’d like for Sexton to remain with the Cavaliers, especially given his commitment to the team even when he couldn’t play. However, the young guard could make more money elsewhere.
In the 60 games that Sexton played in during 2020-21, Sexton averaged a career-high 24.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds. He shot 47.5% from the field, 37.1% from the 3-point line, and 81.5% from the free-throw line.
If the Knicks go after a point guard in free agency (ie: Jalen Brunson), a Brunson-Sexton backcourt would be a sight to see in New York. That feels like a far-off dream though, and it’d prohibit Immanuel Quickley from getting the chance that he deserves to compete for the Knicks’ starting point guard position.
The most likely avenue that would send Sexton to New York would happen via a sign-and-trade deal. The Knicks currently have four guards on their roster that could help to make this type of situation a reality in Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, and Evan Fournier. Nerlens Noel isn’t a guard, but he’s another option.
Sexton’s a proven scorer, and even though he’s coming off knee surgery, he would bring the explosiveness that New York needs. If the front office is interested in Sexton, Leon Rose and company will have to outbid other teams, but it’s at least worth their interest.
Don’t be surprised if the guard’s name is linked to the Knicks in the coming months and if a deal goes through, it’ll be a cause for joy, not concern.
