What is Collin Sexton for the Cavaliers?

Another year in the books for Collin Sexton, and another year for a fanbase that remains very torn on him. Whether you like it or not, he’s currently the face of the franchise. Certain old-heads still hold an affectionate affinity for Kevin Love. Darius Garland is a trendy pick. But right now? The 3rd year man out of Alabama is the team’s cornerstone.

He’s the most consistent scorer. The most available player (outside of Isaac Okoro). His ruthless intensity and commitment is a constant that will forever be attached to him. Sexton has shown notable improvement in every area of his game since coming into the league.

The Cavs have shifted him to more of an off-ball role with Garland recently coming into his own. For a traditionally ball-dominant player, he’s excelled at this transition. He uses his speed and touch to put himself into positions where he can be effective as a release valve in the half court.

As for the touch, that improvement has been probably the most impressive of his. He’s no longer the rash teenager who would fling himself into the paint and hope for the best, like he was in college. His career 3P% and FT% in the NBA have both jumped about 5% higher than they were in college. Sexton now possesses a lethal floater that has become a go-to tool for him.

Collin will still drive into the lane with reckless abandon, but he has a baseline of a plan. If the floater isn’t there, he’ll seek out the contact. He’s bumped up his Free Throws Attempts to 6.4 per game now, a very encouraging development in his game.

His feel for the game is continually improving, as was displayed towards the end of the season when he took over full-time PG duties with Darius Garland out. Rookie-year-Sexton mightily struggled when running the offense. It’s a night-and-day difference now. He’s no Chris Paul, but he’s passable. That’s progress.

Joe Vardon: “Opponents taunt [Sexton’s teammates] by saying during games, 'you know he’s not going to pass you the ball.’”

Collin Sexton: “They feel like I'm not doing good at something, I'm going to make sure I prove them wrong.”

Sexton has 38 assists over his last 6 games.

— Brayden (@BraydenBallin) May 11, 2021

Young Bull doesn’t have the deepest bag. He isn’t overly flashy like his backcourt partner. His handle is average. He’s not going to take any jaw-dropping step-back threes or pull-ups from the logo. This half of Sexland gets things done in the halfcourt with his burst and the threat of his pull-up/floater.

Like, c’mon pic.twitter.com/2W661fxoBi https://t.co/nKm7BWxyGJ

— Brayden (@BraydenBallin) May 11, 2021

His jumper is unconventional and not the quickest. This limits him from being a gunner from deep. He gets blocked a lot when driving into the lane, but the guy’s confidence is sky-high and it never wavers. Sexton won’t be outworked by anybody and it shows. There’s no reason to think his scoring efficiency and offensive output won’t continue to improve through the years.

I’m a Collin Sexton believer. I think he is without question a starter in this league for many years to come. If it takes the max to keep him in town, them I’m going to give it to him. These kind of core building blocks don't wind up in Cleveland often. Attempting to draft a better suiting replacement is a pointless crapshoot.

Collin Sexton is averaging 24.5 Pts/36min on 57.5 TS% this year

2019/20 Derrick Rose, 2018/19 Lou Williams, & 2017/18 Lou Williams are the only bench players from the past 4 years to avg more pts/36

No bench player the past 4 years has averaged more than 22 pts/36 on higher TS%

— Brayden (@BraydenBallin) May 6, 2021

I'm not here to tell you that he is a future superstar. He's not Dion Waiters, but he's also not Kyrie.

Sexton isn't a great set-up guy. And that's okay! He's gotten better with time. He's an effective ball-mover. But looking at this team, it's clear that he's a tier below Darius Garland. I don't think that's as big of a deal as many make it. This area of his game is unfairly overly criticized. Cleveland plays him at the 2-guard, a role he has picked up exceedingly well. His playstyle is suited for it, and he's meshed with DG better than anyone could have hoped for.

The defensive side of things is where it starts to get dicey, but I don't think it's proved to be enough of a problem to justify breaking up Sexland, especially when the duo is paired with capable defenders. At just over 6-feet, Young Bull is clearly more suited to guard ones, rather than twos. He's put on some weight, but still often gets overpowered by bigger guys. Sexton can get on his opposition's nerves with his incessant energy and activity, however it's more show than substance, in a sort-of Patrick Beverley sense.

With Isaac Okoro in the fold now (and Dean Wade to an extent... I love that guy), the Cavs have players who can take on the more difficult defensive assignments and hide Sexland on the weaker threats. With a formidable backline of defense taking shape in guys like Larry Nance Jr and Jarrett Allen, the effects of getting beat on the perimeter are mitigated to a degree.

The Cavaliers displayed glimpses of being a good defensive team earlier on this season, and with some tweaks, better luck with injuries, and continued roster improvement, I think that can be the case again, hopefully more prolonged and consistently this next season.

If you want to put the blame of the lack of wins that's come in tow with these LeBron-less years on Collin Sexton, then go right on ahead, but just because he's been here for the full duration of the team's abiding in the cellar of the league, doesn't mean he's the only common denominator. It doesn't mean he's the problem. It doesn't mean he's A problem.

To me, Sexton is a joy to have on this roster. He's one of the main reasons to be optimistic about the future of this team. So let's not get crazy. Let's not try to be sly and let him walk to save some cap room or trade him in a sell-low move. Let's put a competent and healthy team around the guy and see where he can take us.