Report: Knicks’ RJ Barrett ‘untouchable’, Cavs seek veteran for Collin Sexton

The Collin Sexton to the New York Knicks trade rumor is more complicated than it seems.

The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the Knicks are the most aggressive trade suitor for the extension-eligible Sexton. But Shams Charania, who broke the report, cleared the air that the Cavaliers are in no rush to trade Sexton.

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com further reported on Wednesday that the Cavaliers and the Knicks have discussed Sexton but added that “they’ve put a hefty price tag on him, which could make a deal challenging.”

“If the Cavs can use Sexton as a trade chip to improve other areas of the roster and find a better-fitting piece that helps maximize (Darius) Garland’s skill set while also hedging against a difficult financial decision, they will consider it,” Fedor wrote.

A package of Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, and one of the Knicks’ 2021 firs round picks floated around after the Sexton trade rumor made headlines. But it seems that package isn’t palatable to the Cavaliers as they reportedly seek a veteran help, putting the Knicks in a bind.

Ian Begley of SNY reported on Thursday Cleveland’s preferred haul in a potential Sexton trade.

“One team doing its homework on a possible Sexton trade believed Cleveland would like to get a veteran who can help the club win in return for the 22-year-old guard,” Begley wrote.

The Cleveland.com report added that the Cavaliers were smitten with RJ Barrett ahead of the 2019 draft that they tried to move up a few spots. Their attempt was obviously unsuccessful, and they settled with Garland with the fifth overall pick.

But Begley noted that Barrett is apparently untouchable.

“People in touch with the Knicks recently came away with the impression that New York had little interest in including Barrett in any trades,” Begley wrote.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

 

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