Collin Sexton hoped that this summer would be the signing of his first big contract. After three campaigns in continuous progression, he was facing 2021-22 with the aim of endorsing his status and sealing an advantageous agreement. What the young point guard did not count on is suffering a serious injury (meniscus tear) and seeing how his teammate backcourtDarius Garland, was bursting to become the star of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
So it has happened. It’s the middle of August and the doors have slammed shut for Sexton. Shortly before July 1, the date he became a restricted free agent, there was talk of interest from teams like the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs. Nothing happened. After July 1, it was the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz who seemed to be following in his footsteps. Once again, water. And so we have fully entered August, with a Sexton that continues to ask, but not receive.
It’s that scenario that keeps Cleveland in a position of strength. Before the market opened, there was already talk of setting the limit at 18 million dollars a year. Now, with the desire not to enter the luxury tax and knowing that no other franchise is betting heavily on the player, they have planted around 13 million dollars (3-season contract for 40 million), far from the 20 annual asked by Rich Paul, Sexton’s agent.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, it is this important economic distance that means that we are still not close to reaching an agreement. The negotiations have not broken down and at the end of July there was a meeting between the player’s agent and Koby Altman, the team’s president of basketball operations, but the only thing that came out clear is that neither party is willing to give in for the moment.
In such a situation, there are few ways out. One, the one desired by the team, is for the player to stamp his signature on the offered contract. Another, less advantageous to both in principle, is for Sexton to accept the $7.2 million qualifying offer, which would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent. This route would not bother the organization either, since they do not see it as essential that Sexton continue with them. For the player it would be a risk as well as a bet in itself. He is coming off a nearly blank season and needs to prove that he deserves a big contract. If they don’t, the offers may not even reach what the Cavs are now putting on the table. Yes, Sexton has the most to lose in this story.
(Photograph by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
