Cleveland Cavaliers and Collin Sexton seem to be on good terms but teams are circling

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Collin Sexton’s relationship doesn’t appear to be problematic.

The Cleveland Cavaliers offered Collin Sexton a three-year, $40 million deal to stay with the team, or take the one-year qualifying offer for a few million and then test free agency in 2023. When the deal was offered, many thought the Cavaliers were slighting Sexton due to some of his weaknesses in his game. This has raised the question among many that the two sides may be developing a cantankerous relationship.

That doesn’t appear to be the case, however. The Cavs, who have long been rumored to be interested in retaining Sexton, are simply dealing with a cashflow issue, and the low offer wasn’t a lowball offer, but just what they can afford to give him.

As Evan Dammarell of Right Down Euclid wrote;

"According to sources, the latest offer to Sexton isn’t coming from a place of disrespect from the Cavaliers. It’s quite literally all they can offer since the same source has remained adamant that Cleveland isn’t looking to go into the luxury tax for their 2022-23 iteration. So, that offer for Sexton, which is roughly $13.3 million annually, is the absolute maximum the Cavaliers can offer him at this time."

That doesn’t mean that Sexton is waiting on his hands, however. The young guard believes he’s worth more and is holding out hope for a bigger offer. According to Dammarell again, Sexton is still hoping for other offers.

"Sources say that Sexton’s camp is holding out hope for an offer sheet from another team. But, those same sources say the market has dried up for him and most teams that might be interested in him would rather wait out things and strike when his value is at its lowest."

Meanwhile, Sam Amico of Hoopswire is reporting that the Wizards and Jazz are actively watching the situation play out and may have interest in the guard dubbed “The Young Bull”.

"The Jazz are closely monitoring the Sexton situation, and the Wizards are among those with him on their radar, sources said."

Collin Sexton hoping for a contract doesn’t mean he wants to leave

Until a trade request is leaked to the media, as it almost always comes from the player’s camp, I don’t believe that Sexton wants to leave. Instead, I believe, that Sexton is hoping that another team forces the Cavs to raise their offer, even if it means going into the Luxury Tax.

More than likely the Cavs look to move Caris LeVert, Dylan Windler, and/or Cedi Osman to free up cash for Sexton. After all, it’s obvious the team is prioritizing Sexton over LeVert, so why wouldn’t they move him if they needed to free up money for Sexton?

I don’t think Sexton wants to be moved but the Cavs will if they feel they can’t re-sign him. They won’t, and shouldn’t, risk losing him for nothing.