CLEVELAND, Ohio – Last weekend, Cavs GM Koby Altman gave his state of the team postseason press conference.
His theme was, “the future is really bright.”
Not a surprise, it’s what most GMs of young teams say this time of year. But the future is at least somewhat cloudy because of some major salary decisions hanging over the team.
The Cavs aren’t asking for my advice, but here are some steps to take with the current roster. I’m not speculating on draft picks or trades at this point. The playoffs are still happening and it will be several weeks before significant roster moves can be made.
But here is what the Cavs need to do:
1. NO MORE KEVIN LOVE
Altman talked about Love being an important part of the team next year and how the young guys enjoy being on the court with him.
The problem is Love can’t stay healthy enough to be a major asset. His occasional outbursts indicate he’s frustrated by the losing and never-ending injuries. The Cavs have to stop Waiting For Love.
The Cavs kept talking about not having their regular starting lineup most of the time. Well, that includes Love. In the last three years, he has played 103 games and missed 116. Tell me why that pattern of injuries is about to change?
My guess is Altman knows this, but doesn’t want to say anything negative about Love for fear of hurting any trade value the 32-year-old forward has left. I didn’t take his comment on Love seriously. They can make another attempt to trade him, but it’s not likely to happen. Then negotiate some type of buyout on the two years and $60 million left on his contract.
Time to move on.
Cavs forward Kevin Love can score at times, but in the last three seasons he's played 103 games and missed 116. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
2. NO MAX FOR SEXTON
Collin Sexton will probably want a maximum contract in the offseason. If I’m his agent, that’s my goal. I’d point to Sacramento giving De’Aaron Fox a 5-year, $163 maximum deal. But ... the 6-foot-3 Fox is more a pure point guard than the 6-foot-1 Sexton. Fox averaged 25.2 points and 7.2 assists while shooting .477 from the field and .322 on 3-pointers.
Sexton is a scorer: 24.3 points, .475 shooting and .371 on 3-pointers. But he’s a shooting guard (4.4 assists) and his 6-foot-1 size hurts when he faces bigger guards.
I like Sexton ... a lot. He is relentless. He is judged too harshly partly because he is the key piece of the Kyrie Irving deal with Boston. He also isn’t a “pretty player” as he commits some silly turnovers and dribbles into trouble.
But the man can score. He’s averaged 20.2 points for his career. I like him, I want him on my team. But not at anywhere near a maximum deal. I’d offer him something like $80 million over four years – with more money near the end.
Keep this in mind:
A. Sexton is not even a restricted free agent. That doesn’t happen until the summer of 2022. He is already under contract for $6.3 million in 2021.
B. See if Sexton wants to walk away from a deal that would pay him $86 million over the next five years. I’d add the extension to his current contract. He can play 2020-21 for the $6.3 million, then become a restricted free agent. Then the Cavs can match any offer he receives.
C. In the NBA, there is a sense good players will have their feelings hurt and pout if they aren’t offered a maximum contract when that first becomes a possibility. That’s just ridiculous when the money is this huge and the salary cap is a big concern.
3. DON’T FORGET GARLAND
Darius Garland will be in the same situation as Sexton a year from now. His agent will be watching how the Cavs pay Sexton. He’ll want that kind of deal, especially if it’s close to a maximum contract.
Several NBA people have told me they prefer Garland to Sexton. They believe Garland made huge progress in his second pro season. He is a natural point guard with long-range shooting ability. He averaged 17.4 points, 6.1 assists while shooting .451 (.395 on 3-pointers).
Do the Cavs want to end up in a position a few years from now where they have about $300 million tied up in Garland and Sexton? That would be poor salary cap management.
4. GO STRONG FOR JARRETT ALLEN
Who do you think has more trade value: the 7-foot Allen or the 6-foot-1 Sexton? The front office should know that already, or at least be able to find out with a few phone calls to other teams.
The answer is likely Allen, and that’s why he should be the top priority and probably receive the $100 million deal. Allen is a restricted free agent. The Cavs can match any offer he receives. He averaged 13.2 points and 9.9 rebounds after being traded from Brooklyn at mid-season. He shot 61 percent from field and generally offered rim protection.
He’s 23. Most NBA people have told me a Clint Capela-type contract would be right for Allen. That was $90 million for five years, signed in 2018, so the price goes up three years later as the salary cap rises.
It was Houston that signed Capela to the deal. The Rockets decided it was too rich a few years later, but found Atlanta willing to deal for him.
5. THE BOTTOM LINE
The Cavs have so much to do in the offseason. They have to nail another good first-round pick. They need to add some veterans. The roster requires a lot of work.
I like 2020 first-rounder Isaac Okoro and can picture the 6-foot-5 Auburn product one day playing in the backcourt with Garland. Perhaps this has the Cavs looking at the trade market for Sexton.
Keeping Larry Nance Jr. healthy is a key because he is such an impact player in terms of defense and ball movement. How they handle Sexton’s contract talks will have an impact on Garland and possibly Okoro in the next few years. Allen is in a different spot, a true center with skills no one else on the Cavs possesses.
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June 06, 2021 at 05:19PM
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