3 offseason moves Cavs can’t make in 2021

2. Cavs can’t give Sexton max deal

Collin Sexton is a really good player, but is he a winning player? Through three seasons, it doesn’t look it, which is why the team should be hesitant to give him a max contract extension.

Sexton just finished his third season. If this were the olden days, he’d have just finished college and would be entering this summer’s draft as a graduating senior. He’s a terrific scorer, but he doesn’t elevate the play of those around him.

Maybe he flips the switch heading into year four, but I just don’t see it. He’s never been a distributor, although he averaged a career high 4.4 assists per game.

The other factor to consider is Darius Garland. Small backcourts don’t translate into titles. Portland is example fans like to cite, with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum as guards. They compete, but they haven’t come close to winning anything.

Additionally, remember the Raptors, with DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowery. They finally won a title when they moved DeRozan to get Kawhi Leonard, an elite-level wing.

That trade isn’t out there waiting for the Cavs, but you get the point.

If the Cavs don’t extend Sexton, they’ve got to trade him because the front office will have sent the message that he isn’t a part of the future plans.