Collin Sexton | The Young Bull

[Wham with the Right Hand]

I found this column that makes the argument not to trade him.

Cleveland Cavaliers would be foolish to trade Collin Sexton

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly listening to offers for Collin Sexton but it would be foolish to trade him this summer.

hoopshabit.com

They make the argument that if Mobley is the pick it doesn't make sense to trade Sexton.

We have seen NBA teams go small-ball, but never have we seen an undersized pairing of guards be matched by an oversized tandem of centers. The idea of playing two seven-footers at the same time as two 6’1″ players is a crazy one — yet it is one that could work in their favor. Especially, if Mobley is all he’s hyped up to be. A versatile big-man who can offer defense, playmaking, post-scoring and 3-point shooting is a match made in heaven for this Cavaliers’ team.

The defensive woes of SexLand could be totally covered up by the paint protection and versatility of an Allen/Mobley/Okoro trio. What’s more, Sexton’s role will be simplified as a scorer while Garland and Mobley share playmaking responsibilities.

However, the Cavaliers’ biggest problems will NOT be solved by trading Sexton this summer. This is a squad that recently ranked towards the bottom of the league both offensively and defensively. Trading away the team’s best scorer does not address those issues, it magnifies them.

The bolded part is what I found most interesting because we are getting into some uncharted waters here. Will a pair of undersized guards combined with a pair of 7-footers with good to great movement skills work defensively? According to this guy, it's never been tried.

 

[Randolphkeys]

The bolded part is what I found most interesting because we are getting into some uncharted waters here. Will a pair of undersized guards combined with a pair of 7-footers with good to great movement skills work defensively? According to this guy, it's never been tried.

New Orleans briefly tried it with Boogie Cousins and Anthony Davis, but the Cousins Achilles injury ruined the experiment. They also started two undersized guards with the Twin Towers - Jrue Holiday played SG and E'Twuan Moore split point duties with Rondo.

I am left thinking about the Spurs championship team from 1998, but the NBA was such a different game back then. Vinny Del Negro and Avery Johnson were both combo guards, but neither one had a consistent three point shot. They relied on Sean Elliott and the bench to create spacing.

I'm stoked.

 

[chrisrich91]

I found this column that makes the argument not to trade him.

Cleveland Cavaliers would be foolish to trade Collin Sexton

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly listening to offers for Collin Sexton but it would be foolish to trade him this summer.

hoopshabit.com

They make the argument that if Mobley is the pick it doesn't make sense to trade Sexton.

We have seen NBA teams go small-ball, but never have we seen an undersized pairing of guards be matched by an oversized tandem of centers. The idea of playing two seven-footers at the same time as two 6’1″ players is a crazy one — yet it is one that could work in their favor. Especially, if Mobley is all he’s hyped up to be. A versatile big-man who can offer defense, playmaking, post-scoring and 3-point shooting is a match made in heaven for this Cavaliers’ team.

The defensive woes of SexLand could be totally covered up by the paint protection and versatility of an Allen/Mobley/Okoro trio. What’s more, Sexton’s role will be simplified as a scorer while Garland and Mobley share playmaking responsibilities.

However, the Cavaliers’ biggest problems will NOT be solved by trading Sexton this summer. This is a squad that recently ranked towards the bottom of the league both offensively and defensively. Trading away the team’s best scorer does not address those issues, it magnifies them.

The bolded part is what I found most interesting because we are getting into some uncharted waters here. Will a pair of undersized guards combined with a pair of 7-footers with good to great movement skills work defensively? According to this guy, it's never been tried.

I disagree with the red bolded. I think having Mobley certainly helps Sexland, but definitely does not "totally cover up" their defensive woes. And if the Cavs are set on Okoro being the SF in that lineup, the remaining defensive problems are exacerbated further.

The rim protection of the two 7 footers is really nice and will help. Mobley's defensive versatility is super nice and will help. But the problem of undersized perimeter players doesn't disappear just because you have a giant front court.

We've seen bigger guards and forwards shoot over top of our small perimeter trio, and that doesn't change with the addition of Mobley. Opponents can still seek out the size advantages on the perimeter.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

The same HoopsHabit writer from the previous post also had a column about the Cavs' upcoming major decisions, including what to do with Sexton. He summed it up here:

The way I see it, Collin’s future in Cleveland can go one of three ways. One scenario is Sexton makes another leap in development and becomes the unquestioned leader moving forward. On the contrary, he can humbly accept a lesser contract and either take a backseat to Darius Garland and Jalen Green — or play a more limited version of his current role as Evan Mobley enters the scene.

Of course, the last option here is trading Sexton — an idea that has been long supported by Sexton’s biggest critics. While I personally shy away from trading such a young talent, there is one deal that makes the most sense of any potential trades.

As reported by Adam Borai, the Miami Heat have shown interest in a swap involving Tyler Herro. Further details aside, flipping Sexton for a taller wing that can space the floor and provide tertiary playmaking is the most fluid way to replace Sexton while also bringing stability to the current core. A lineup featuring Garland, Herro, Isaac Okoro, Jarrett Allen and one of Mobley or Green is an enticing one — with solid size, shooting and playmaking throughout.

Whatever the Cavaliers elect to do with Sexton, it is obvious this decision is going to have a profound impact on their future.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

I disagree with the red bolded. I think having Mobley certainly helps Sexland, but definitely does not "totally cover up" their defensive woes. And if the Cavs are set on Okoro being the SF in that lineup, the remaining defensive problems are exacerbated further.

The rim protection of the two 7 footers is really nice and will help. Mobley's defensive versatility is super nice and will help. But the problem of undersized perimeter players doesn't disappear just because you have a giant front court.

We've seen bigger guards and forwards shoot over top of our small perimeter trio, and that doesn't change with the addition of Mobley. Opponents can still seek out the size advantages on the perimeter.

I think it helps in blow-by situations when Sexton or Garland get beat off the dribble. If you have a 7-foot shot blocker waiting in the paint it's far superior to having a Tristan Thompson or Kevin Love in there.

However, taller wings will still be able to get their 3-pointers off practically unopposed over Garland and Sexton no matter who else the Cavs have on the floor, so I agree with you there. I'm thinking about a guy like Duncan Robinson of the Heat who feasts on the Cavs. Robinson shot 61.5% against us on 3's last year and a measly 51.2% the year before that.

 

[Kouki]

Yeah that article don't make sense IMO. You don't just get to take an average height of the team. Sexland isn't bad defensively because of paint protection, they are bad because they are mediocre at best defenders who cannot effectively switch flexibly due to their size

 

[Derek]

New Orleans briefly tried it with Boogie Cousins and Anthony Davis, but the Cousins Achilles injury ruined the experiment. They also started two undersized guards with the Twin Towers - Jrue Holiday played SG and E'Twuan Moore split point duties with Rondo.

I am left thinking about the Spurs championship team from 1998, but the NBA was such a different game back then. Vinny Del Negro and Avery Johnson were both combo guards, but neither one had a consistent three point shot. They relied on Sean Elliott and the bench to create spacing.

I'm stoked.

Toronto had Ibaka and Gasol with VanVleet and Lowry.

They didn't use it a ton, but it was effective when they did, and it may be a model for how the Cavs can best utilize Mobley and Allen even if they aren't quite an ideal fit together. They still managed to play Gasol 31 mpg and Ibaka 21 mpg during their playoff run to a title.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Toronto had Ibaka and Gasol with VanVleet and Lowry.

They didn't use it a ton, but it was effective when they did, and it may be a model for how the Cavs can best utilize Mobley and Allen even if they aren't quite an ideal fit together. They still managed to play Gasol 31 mpg and Ibaka 21 mpg during their playoff run to a title.

Now we're talking. All we have to do after drafting Mobley is add Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, and Norman Powell.

I agree the Cavs could use that as a model with Okoro in the Siakam/Leonard role.

 

[Derek]

Now we're talking. All we have to do after drafting Mobley is add Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, and Norman Powell.

I agree the Cavs could use that as a model with Okoro in the Siakam/Leonard role.

Yes, obviously we are a long way off from the playoffs even, but Toronto showed the blueprint for having success with a small backcourt, and its extreme length at the other three spots on the floor.

While it seems Sexton isn't long for Cleveland, I would definitely be interested in some Garland-Sexton-Prince-Mobley-Allen lineups.

 

[nolookpass]

The twin towers + 2 undersized guards lineup is an interesting concept, as well as considering the Pelicans and Raptors examples. The only concern I see for the Cavs is that Jrue Holiday (and Rondo to a degree) and Lowry were great defenders in those examples, while Garland and Sexton are not. Garland and Sexton are also on the thinner side compared to those guys. I can't even fathom Garland and Sexton doing anything remotely close to hounding and shutting down Lillard like the Pelicans backcourt did in the playoffs that year.

 

[sailfish]

The twin towers + 2 undersized guards lineup is an interesting concept, as well as considering the Pelicans and Raptors examples. The only concern I see for the Cavs is that Jrue Holiday (and Rondo to a degree) and Lowry were great defenders in those examples, while Garland and Sexton are not. Garland and Sexton are also on the thinner side compared to those guys. I can't even fathom Garland and Sexton doing anything remotely close to hounding and shutting down Lillard like the Pelicans backcourt did in the playoffs that year.

It depends on their plans with Okoro. If they plan on playing him at SG then I’d look to trade Sexton for a wing with some length & shooting ability. Maybe someone like Cam Reddish or Cam Johnson or a draft pick that they can turn into a similar player.

 

[nolookpass]

It depends on their plans with Okoro. If they plan on playing him at SG then I’d look to trade Sexton for a wing with some length & shooting ability. Maybe someone like Cam Reddish or Cam Johnson or a draft pick that they can turn into a similar player.

Well, this whole discussion/thought exercise of twin towers + 2 undersized guards lineup is based on the assumption of Garland and Sexton playing together..

 

[inliner311]

The twin towers + 2 undersized guards lineup is an interesting concept, as well as considering the Pelicans and Raptors examples. The only concern I see for the Cavs is that Jrue Holiday (and Rondo to a degree) and Lowry were great defenders in those examples, while Garland and Sexton are not. Garland and Sexton are also on the thinner side compared to those guys. I can't even fathom Garland and Sexton doing anything remotely close to hounding and shutting down Lillard like the Pelicans backcourt did in the playoffs that year.

I think it's a interesting lineup and might be the starting lineup that you flex from but might actually not use all that much. It's like in the NFL when teams say they are a base 3-4 or 4-3 defense but they are rarely actually in it.

How they build out the roster and how creative JBB can be will be how well it can work. Rotate in one or two players and the dynamic of the lineup could change alot. The type of those players will be what makes it succeed.

Tall PG, stretch 5, and different types of wings could allow us to match up with anyone but also dictate because we can create match problems.

 

[sailfish]

Well, this whole discussion/thought exercise of twin towers + 2 undersized guards lineup is based on the assumption of Garland and Sexton playing together..

With all the Sexton trade rumors floating around, it seems like the Cavs have questions, not only about that pairing, but whether they want to commit big money to Collin for the long-term.

 

[Lumthemad]

With all the Sexton trade rumors floating around, it seems like the Cavs have questions, not only about that pairing, but whether they want to commit big money to Collin for the long-term.

Perhaps I am wrong but I believe the Cavs are just doing due diligence on all of this. Finding out his value and gaging what can be done and see if it improves your team's value.

I am a big Sexton fan BUT I will readily admit he has aspects to his game which frustrate me. I am probably amongst the few who would PREFER to pay him over Garland. Why? One guy has already shown durability issues while the other has not. I think Garland is more talented but I wonder how many games a year he'll miss as he ages.

I have hated pretty much every rumor out there regarding moving Sexton. I imagine so have the Cavaliers. I see them holding onto him and seeing what happens when he hits restricted free agency.