Is the rebuilding process for the Cleveland Knights finally over? At least from what happened early in the 2021-22 season, it really is. Rookie striker Evan Mobley was a real threat on both ends of the floor, while Darius Garland played the best of his career, even with role players like Sedi Osman.
After beating the Miami Heat 105-94, the Cavaliers' opening record of the season has reached 17-12, fourth in the East, and they still completed the feat without the team's number one star. Before the season began, Colin Sexton was considered the best player on this team, but was absent due to a major injury to the meniscus tear in his left knee, but the Cavaliers did not lose rhythm because of his absence. According to official NBA statistics, the Cavaliers have a defensive rating of 104.1 this season, ranking third in the NBA, with a net rating of 4.1 and fifth in the league. At this time, the Cavaliers don't really look like they're going to make the playoffs for the first time since LeBron James left to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Cavaliers' current situation is definitely good news for fans, but it also raises the question of whether the Cavaliers should try to trade Sexton to increase their chances of impacting the playoffs this season. This is a complex issue.
First, the entire league is interested in Sexton, and while he'll be a restricted free agent next offseason, there's some value in trading the 22-year-old guard given that any team that trades him this season will match the contract he's received.
Second, the Cavaliers must actually be willing to part ways with the 2018 No. 8 pick. Obviously, if the Cavaliers intend to renew Sexton's contract and match any offer he gets next year in the free agent market, then the Cavaliers are unlikely to trade him. However, due to Sexton's injury, the Cavaliers did not reach an early contract extension agreement with him, which means that his position in the Cavaliers is actually not so important, especially considering the record the Cavaliers have achieved this season.
What the Cavaliers need most at the moment is an offensive and defensive wing player, and Sexton clearly doesn't meet that requirement. The backcourt combination of Sexton and Garland has always been a double-edged sword, and while the combination's scoring ability is unquestionable, they are not a qualified defensive combination because both are relatively short players.
The worst defensive player in the NBA three-point era:
121 - Colin Sexton last season
119.5 - Darius Garland this season
This means that the Cavaliers' starting backcourt combination is actually two of the worst defensive players the NBA has ever had. But with Sexton out, Garland has been fantastic this season, and everything suggests that it may be time for the Cavaliers to add a player around Garland whose technical characteristics can complement each other. The Indiana Pacers reportedly appreciate Sexton's scoring prowess, and they have a trade chip like Carris LeVert, which is undoubtedly very attractive to a team like the Cavaliers looking to make a breakthrough in the playoffs.
Can the Cavaliers trade Sexton? Of course! But has it come time for them to trade Sexton? Not really. The Cavaliers' rebuilding efforts centred on Mobley, Garland, Jarrett Allen and Lau-Markkanen are already ahead of schedule, but if they can find a way for this team to make a difference in the playoffs, trading Sexton now would be a wise choice, as he simply can't contribute to the rest of the game.