Collin Sexton’s injury further complicates the future for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A few weeks ago, it was announced that Collin Sexton would miss time with a meniscus injury. The hope was that he would be able to return toward the latter end of the season. The hopes are now gone as it has been reported he is expected to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery.
Despite the Cavs’ encouraging 9-8 start to the season, you can’t help but wonder what missing the remainder of the year will now mean for not only Sexton’s future but for also the future of the Cavs.
Sexton is technically in the final year of his contract and can test restricted free agent during the summer. The Cavs are saying all the right things and they reportedly want Sexton back but failed to agree to a long-term agreement this past offseason.
If Cleveland wanted to see him take another step in his progression or to see how he’d continue to fit next to Darius Garland and, now, next to Evan Mobley, that’s now not a luxury that they’ll have with this latest injury.
Before the injury, through the 11 games he played in, Sexton got off to a bit of a rocky start to the season. In 11 games, Sexton averaged 16 points and three rebounds on 45 percent shooting from the field but just 24 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Heading into the offseason, the Cavs will have to make some major decisions about their future without having another full season of sample on Sexton. On the restricted free agent market, it’s likely that Sexton will be able to secure a full-max offer.
The big question remains, are the Cavs willing to match that?
With a strong young core, there’s an honest question regarding whether or not the Cavs necessarily need Sexton to take the next step as a franchise – even more so if they are able to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference without him, which remains to be seen.
The Cavs have a lot of figuring out to do this season. The future is bright for Cleveland but a big decision is looming regarding Sexton. And his injury hasn’t made it any easier.