Cavs: Collin Sexton might have proven more had LeBron James never left

If LeBron James were still a Cavs player, maybe Collin Sexton would have proven more.

If watching Andre Drummond over his career has proven anything about basketball, it’s that empty stats are a thing. Right now there is a raging debate over the experts who study and follow basketball for decades and fans over Collin Sexton. The fans believe Sexton is a “great” scorer because he put up 24 points on the Cavs in 2021 on good shooting figures. Experts point out that Sexton is limited offensively, with no other way to score other than to drive to the rim and hope to get fouled, while also pointing out his lack of passing, his shot selection, and his defensive liabilities. It’s fair to say that many believe Sexton is still unproven. Maybe that wouldn’t have been the case had LeBron James never left.

Now, James wouldn’t automatically make Sexton better at any one of those given skills that some believe Sexton lacks. No, his involvement with the team, however, would’ve given Sexton more opportunities to prove or disprove the notions surrounding him. Sexton was drafted the year James was contemplating leaving for a second time. Sexton and James could’ve easily have been teammates had James just returned to Cleveland. He didn’t, and because he left the team was blown up.

LeBron James leaving caused the Cavs to blow things up, hurting Collin Sexton

LeBron James leaving Cleveland caused the Cavs to dump Kyle Korver, J.R. Smith, and George Hill after barely more than a dozen games. All three players could’ve directly benefited Collin Sexton. Korver and Smith could still shoot three’s and Hill would’ve been a great pure-point guard alongside Sexton’s hybrid guard status. They also would’ve been good players to start, so Sexton came off the bench as a sixth man.

The team also had good combo-scorers in Rodney Hood and Alec Burks, both traded away mid-way through the year for little in return. All that offense would’ve been able to help showcase whether or not Sexton was able to stand out among many options and be a star on the team or if he just got his points because there was no one else to contend with.

Playing alongside James would’ve also shown if Sexton could’ve been a good three-point shooter, something he opts against doing, and instead tries to get to the free-throw line as much as possible.

Now there’s no telling if Sexton looks better or worse with James on the team, but at least then we would’ve seen if he could pass; namely due to the other shooters on the team, and just how much he could contribute to a winning team.

His passing and ability to contribute to winning games are a lingering question about Sexton’s abilities. We know he can’t play defense and at this point, probably will never want to but had the team not blown up the roster, fired Ty Lue, and gone full re-build then maybe we would’ve known what Sexton is truly capable of.