Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Cavs: Looking at 3 not-so-great trade ideas for Collin Sexton

By Chad Porto

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on March 26, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles past Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of a game at Staples Center on March 26, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next

If you’re a Lakers fan, you love this trade. Kyle Kuzma was seen as the “the guy to keep” when trade talks with Anthony Davis popped up. That’s no longer the case and many think the Lakers messed up including Brandon Ingram in the deal and not Kuzma. So it feels like this is the trade that would put the mistake of keeping Kuzma to rest once and for all.

Obviously, Collin Sexton is better than Kuzma, we all know it. Part of the issue with Kuzma being retained, however, is that Davis has taken his opportunities. He’s a bench player for the Lakers and isn’t providing them with what they’re lacking. So obviously he’s an option to be traded.

Now, on paper people might love this trade for the Lakers. Except the issue isn’t the guard position for Los Angeles, it’s the defensive low-post. The Lakers need to move Davis back to power forward and get a big body down low to play defense and rim run. That’s why they were so much better in 2019-2020, they had JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard.

Marc Gasol was still ok as a defender but he’s been beaten down by injuries and age. Andre Drummond was a mistake (We know the feeling), and they’re in desperate need to rework their big situation.

The Lakers can get guards all they want, but what they need is another player maker, who can distribute the ball and stretch the court. These are two things Sexton doesn’t do. He doesn’t kick passes out and he’s not known for his three-point acumen. He’s Russell Westbrook without the defense or passing.

For the Cavs, Kuzma doesn’t fill a need and the draft picks aren’t going to do anything for them unless they’re able to flip them and Kevin Love to get out of his contract. That doesn’t seem likely though for a 22nd pick.

Home/Cleveland Cavaliers