Cavs: Team not getting a Collin Sexton deal done by the deadline says a lot

The Cavs have opted to not get an extension done with Collin Sexton.

The deadline for NBA teams to sign their players to rookie extensions was on Monday and that deadline came and went without the Cavs and Collin Sexton getting anything done. The move is not a great look for Sexton or the franchise but it’s also not a doom and gloom situation either. It’s a gamble.

They’re clearly banking on Sexton to play well, but not well enough to warrant a huge deal when Sexton becomes a restricted free agent. It’s a huge risk because as the Cavs did with Lauri Markkanen if a team really likes Sexton and comes calling, the Cavs have already said with their actions on Monday that there is a price tag they won’t go over for Sexton.

This clearly means that unless Sexton is available for below-market value, then Sexton is gone one way or another in the next few months.

The Cavs don’t have faith in Collin Sexton to be the franchise guy

The Cavs don’t believe in Collin Sexton as the franchise guy. Don’t get the verbiage confused. We’re talking about the main man, the grand Poohbah of the Water Buffalo Lodge, the guy who wants to be Like Mike. That guy. That doesn’t mean they don’t want him, it doesn’t mean they want to trade him. It just means they don’t think he’s “the guy”.

So there is a good chance Sexton sticks around but it’s a gamble and it’s one that the Cavaliers are clearly fine with playing. The problem is, this is not a year to be doing this dance. If the Cavs play well, get to the playoffs, then Altman has to sink tons of money into retaining Sexton (assuming he plays well) and this whole thing was pointless. Sexton could just demand more money regardless and make the Cavaliers’ life a living hell until he gets what he wants. So in that scenario paying Sexton earlier would’ve made more sense.

However, should the Cavs fall apart, again, then why would Koby Altman expect to come back for a sixth season? This is Sexton’s fourth on the team and Altman’s fifth. If the team fails to do anything, then the Cavaliers would likely fire Altman and then his replacement has to decide if keeping Sexton makes sense.

This all but says Sexton and the Cavaliers are not the fondest of one another. The Cavaliers clearly aren’t ready to put a ring on Sexton’s finger, and that’s going to cause resentment eventually. It’s also a bad sign for Altman. Sexton was not only Altman’s biggest draft piece but was his first draft pick. Sexton is the only reason Altman’s trade with Boston, which sent them Kyrie Irving, isn’t viewed as the worst trade in franchise history.

If Sexton walks with all that baggage, then Altman’s tenure will be an absolute travesty of massive proportions.