Collin Sexton will determine Caris LeVert’s faith with the Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers won’t be keeping both Collin Sexton and Caris LeVert

The Cleveland Cavaliers may not have a lot of top talent, but they are incredibly deep throughout the team. This may be the deepest team the Cavs have had in decades, if not ever. They have three players who are arguably Top 10 at their respective positions Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Not to mention a deep bench that includes Ricky Rubio, Cedi Osman, Kevin Love, and Collin Sexton.

Sexton may be the first guy off the bench at the moment but he may just be the most important player on the team, at least for what the team is looking to do in the future. See, Sexton is the key player toward so many decisions.

According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, if the Cavs sign Sexton to a new deal, that may hasten the exit of Caris LeVert, the team’s incumbent starting two-guard. LeVert and the Cavs haven’t talked really about a new deal, as Sexton is the priority.

"If Sexton and the Cavs can eventually agree on a multi-year contract — cleveland.com has reported Sexton has been offered a three-year deal worth around $40 million — there’s less urgency when it comes to a long-term LeVert extension. If Sexton chooses to play on the $7.2 million qualifying offer, becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer when about half of the league is projected to have cap space, then perhaps the LeVert talks ramp up."

What makes this interesting is that according to Fedor, some in the Cavs organization may prefer LeVert. Speaking on The Lowe Podcast with Zach Lowe, there are some who prefer the taller, longer, LeVert. As Fedor goes on to say (via CavsNation)

"There are multiple people inside the organization that if they have their choice between Caris and Collin, they would take Caris over Collin because of the size, because of the length, because of the versatility that he can bring on the defensive end of the floor. And they liked what they saw with Caris and Darius together. Obviously, the numbers back that up."

The Cleveland Cavaliers should not settle for either

I like the fit that Collin Sexton brings to the team long-term, but as a sixth-man type off the bench. I also really like LeVert. When Brooklyn wasn’t a dumpster fire and had Jarrett Allen, Spencer Dinwiddie, and LeVert, LeVert was the guy I thought they could build around.

The issues come with their style of play. Sexton is a Lou Williams, Jason Terry type. He’s going to attack the basket on nearly every play and drive defenses wild. Then he’s going to tie his shoe or get a corndog while the rest of the team plays defense.

LeVert is a better defender but then again that’s like saying pizza is healthier than deep-fried foods. Sure, but only barely.

The team could and should keep one, but the team shouldn’t settle for either. If there’s an upgrade to be had, they need to make it. The team could do and be so much better if they got a bit bold and flipped LeVert for a player who can play-make and shoot threes. Shooting from behind the arc is something LeVert struggles with.

Both guys have a place on this team in the long run but not together, and certainly not as key players.