Collin Sexton was on his way to what he thought would be a max extension (or at least starting base money, north of $20 million per year) on his rookie contract. He averaged 24.3 points per game for the Cavaliers two seasons ago, and players who get buckets get paid.
However, the 2022 schedule is about to move into August and Sexton, a restricted free agent, has not signed an offer sheet from any team. Head on the table. Part of that is Sexton played in just 11 games last season because of a torn meniscus that required surgery. Other teams also know that even when healthy, Sexton’s ball-dominant style frustrated his teammates. All this has depressed its market value.
He has an offer on the table from the Cavaliers, Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor reports on the Wine & Gold Talk podcast (hat tip Hoopshype).
“The Cavs have made what I’m told is a multi-year contract offer to Collin Sexton, one they feel is reasonable based on the fact that he’s off the market and has no other offers. I’m told it’s close to $40 million in total. So think about a three-year, $40 million deal. It’s a lot less than what Collin originally wanted. I don’t know if that’s the kind of deal that Collin and his camp would be willing to accept.”
This offer is in the ballpark of what other teams think he’s worth, something in the range of the mid-level exception, according to the league talk I heard at Summer League. Other teams won’t make an offer to Sexton at this stage because the Cavaliers would match, and no team seems willing to go over the top and make an offer that would cause the Cavaliers to fold.
After the injury, there was a limited market for him, and because of his style of play, some teams saw him more as a sixth than a point guard. There had been some rumblings about Dallas needing shot creation after Jalen Brunson left for New York, but they have 14 players on the roster, they have Luka Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie at point guard, they already have $14 million in the luxury tax. and used his taxpayer mid-level exception on JaVale McGee.
The only way for Sexton to change the perception of him and get his biggest payday is to get on the court and earn it. With the market where he is now and most of the team’s rosters filled, Sexton will have to take less than he wants, but will look for a shorter deal that gets him back to free agency sooner.
There is an offer on the table and Sexton said he wants to stay in Cleveland.