Report: Knicks ‘interested’ in acquiring Collin Sexton from Cleveland

That idea of trading for a point guard is one the New York Knicks will consider this off-season, in addition to gauging the free-agent market and who will be available at reasonable price points. However, a recent report indicates that the Knicks, as well as multiple other teams, are interested in Collin Sexton of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Both the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers are also coined as having interest in Sexton, who is a 22-year-old point guard out of Alabama. Going into his fourth season, Sexton averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 assists, and shot 47% from the field last year. In addition, he connected on 37% of his shots from range, averaging 4.4 attempts per game. A solid free-throw percentage of 83% over his career is another firm positive to mention.

If the Knicks want to go this route, Sexton would not be cheap, as Cleveland regards him highly, especially for a team that desperately needs a young point guard to operate with. Of course, he would fit nicely alongside Jimmy Butler in Miami, but the Knicks have the draft capital to maneuver with if need be.

According to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, both Kevin Love and Sexton are “very available” this summer, and it was shortly after predicting a max contract for the young point guard.

The belief is growing that Collin isn’t a max-contract level player, and he might not even garner the significant haul Cleveland could theoretically be asking.

Lloyd mentions the fact that Team USA chose Darius Garland instead of Sexton to compete on the Select Team, which is an indication of different trajectories for Cleveland’s young guards. The Knicks could theoretically capitalize on this loss of value that Sexton is unexplainably experiencing; there’s no doubt they would have to give up their first-round selections in the process.

However, avoiding giving away young players like RJ Barrett in addition to draft capital should be a priority. Of course, the concept of gaining a player like Damian Lillard is attractive, but there are better ways to bolster a team without selling the farm, and Collin Sexton might represent an opportunity that suggests just that. Representing a reliable scorer from the point guard position, the Knicks desperately need that level of efficiency, and that is a valuable factor.