2022-23 Regular Season

[Revenged25]

First off, I think paying Anfernee Simons that much was a mistake and I'm not convinced he's going to have positive trade value on that deal. But if he does, it will be because he continues to average 40% from 3 on 7.8 attempts per game.

Darius Garland averaged 8.6 assists per game last year to go with his 21.7 ppg. Those are all star numbers. He also averaged 38% from 3 on 6.7 attempts per game.

These are not valid comps for a player who routinely drives into the heart of the defense to get his points. Aside from raw scoring totals, there just isn't anything about Sexton's game that helps his team out. I promise you guys there's no league-wide conspiracy to get Sexton a low contract. Teams are questioning the net value he adds and his best role on a good team.

It may very well have been a mistake to pay Simons that much, but the point is what he brings was in demand for Portland who wants to move forward with the player and see how he continues to develop and improve as his role expands. You pay for projected performance, not past performance.

Collin's 3pt shooting was improved from non-existent to good in just his rookie season. It's not hard to imagine given how hard he works and the endless hours he spends in the gym that it will continue to improve, but that's not why someone invests in Collin and the fact he has specific strengths and weakness at 6'2" doesn't mean there isn't a market for him ... it just means it's limited.

When you pile that on top of RFA status, the few teams that might have targeted him simply moved on to other plans via the draft, trade, and free-agency and now the only team that might need him barely has anything to offer and no cap space to sign him.

I'm not saying RFA is the only factor in why Collin hasn't gotten a $25M offer, I'm just pushing back at your rejection that it's not a factor. Fortunately for the Cavs, Koby has made sure that Collin has very little leverage ... not so much for Collin.

Sexton has been asked to increase the number of his three point attempts for years by multiple coaching staffs, and has declined to do so. If you're projecting he'll change his style of play cuz *reasons,* then that's a shame on you outcome if it doesn't happen.

More than that, there's a real question in my mind whether Sexton gets that the relationship with his teammates, while on the court, is reciprocal. They're not out there just to space the floor, get rebounds, and defend. The Cavs did not offer Love that extension so Sexton could use him as a $30M decoy (one that became less and less effective when no one in the arena believed Sexton would pass it to him). His meager assist totals mostly occurred around the rim. Once the ball went into to the paint, it didn't come back out, and all of that made the Cavs as a team easier to defend.

If teams thought Sexton was a good investment on a starter's contract, teams would trade contracts into existing cap space and make the offer the Cavs wouldn't match. A player's trade value ahead of free agency is usually a pretty good indication of that player's market. Drummond averaged 20 and 10 for years, he was traded for expiring contracts and a second round pick, and luckily for the Cavs, his agent didn't allow that to inform his decision during the extension conversations. We're coming up on his second season where he can't even get the MLE or the promise of a starting role.

Sexton's trade value last summer should've been an indication to his agents that it was time to start managing client expectations. Since then, he played poorly, got injured, and his team was not just better, but much better with him off the court. Is an objective evaluation of that outcome more complicated? Yes, but none of that helped his market and his market was already softer than his box numbers would project.

Weren't there multiple rumors of potential trades for Sexton last summer? Including to the Heat for Herro, and several others? There was definitely a market for him after his 3rd season.

[JujitsuFlip]

Don't extend LeVert or Sexton, they're both very meh, imo.

I know I am becoming the LeVert-defending guy, but I don't think LeVert was given a fair shake last season. He came in mid-season and spent the whole time on an injury-ridden roster. Not to mention, he did not get the opportunities to learn the Cavs system as well as the Cavs coaching staff not getting a chance to account for him in the system over a long period of time.

I will personally reserve judging LeVert for next season.

It's a small sample but his shooting efficiency wasn't good, nor was he a plus defender. I'm not saying he's a lost cause just the production seen plus the injury history, not worth potentially losing the 2023 1st rounder, even if not for anything more than it being an additional asset. The Cavs would hopefully finally make the playoffs this upcoming season but then it is at the expense of their 1st rounder. LeVert may not even make it the full season on the Cavs roster before he's traded.

[jbk1234]

It may very well have been a mistake to pay Simons that much, but the point is what he brings was in demand for Portland who wants to move forward with the player and see how he continues to develop and improve as his role expands. You pay for projected performance, not past performance.

Collin's 3pt shooting was improved from non-existent to good in just his rookie season. It's not hard to imagine given how hard he works and the endless hours he spends in the gym that it will continue to improve, but that's not why someone invests in Collin and the fact he has specific strengths and weakness at 6'2" doesn't mean there isn't a market for him ... it just means it's limited.

When you pile that on top of RFA status, the few teams that might have targeted him simply moved on to other plans via the draft, trade, and free-agency and now the only team that might need him barely has anything to offer and no cap space to sign him.

I'm not saying RFA is the only factor in why Collin hasn't gotten a $25M offer, I'm just pushing back at your rejection that it's not a factor. Fortunately for the Cavs, Koby has made sure that Collin has very little leverage ... not so much for Collin.

Sexton has been asked to increase the number of his three point attempts for years by multiple coaching staffs, and has declined to do so. If you're projecting he'll change his style of play cuz *reasons,* then that's a shame on you outcome if it doesn't happen.

More than that, there's a real question in my mind whether Sexton gets that the relationship with his teammates, while on the court, is reciprocal. They're not out there just to space the floor, get rebounds, and defend. The Cavs did not offer Love that extension so Sexton could use him as a $30M decoy (one that became less and less effective when no one in the arena believed Sexton would pass it to him). His meager assist totals mostly occurred around the rim. Once the ball went into to the paint, it didn't come back out, and all of that made the Cavs as a team easier to defend.

If teams thought Sexton was a good investment on a starter's contract, teams would trade contracts into existing cap space and make the offer the Cavs wouldn't match. A player's trade value ahead of free agency is usually a pretty good indication of that player's market. Drummond averaged 20 and 10 for years, he was traded for expiring contracts and a second round pick, and luckily for the Cavs, his agent didn't allow that to inform his decision during the extension conversations. We're coming up on his second season where he can't even get the MLE or the promise of a starting role.

Sexton's trade value last summer should've been an indication to his agents that it was time to start managing client expectations. Since then, he played poorly, got injured, and his team was not just better, but much better with him off the court. Is an objective evaluation of that outcome more complicated? Yes, but none of that helped his market and his market was already softer than his box numbers would project.

Weren't there multiple rumors of potential trades for Sexton last summer? Including to the Heat for Herro, and several others? There was definitely a market for him after his 3rd season.

The Knicks and the Heat were the two, over-the-cap teams, rumored to have been interested. Herro was in Riley's doghouse due to off-the-court stuff so they made him available. I absolutely would've made that trade. But the Knicks offer was basically a late first and Knox. The Heat moved on after the Lowry S&T and the Knicks clear space to get Brunson this summer. The point is that those offers were not in line with what one would anticipate for a guy coming off his third year on a rookie contract who averaged 24 ppg. Going solely off the box score numbers, Sexton's trade market should've been far more robust. The warning signs were there.

[JujitsuFlip]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/267854/Cavs-Will-Sign-Ricky-Rubio-Using-Part-Of-MLE-Not-Via-Sign-And-Trade

Rubio coming back on the MLE, no S&T could be worked with the Pacers.

[JonFromVA]

First off, I think paying Anfernee Simons that much was a mistake and I'm not convinced he's going to have positive trade value on that deal. But if he does, it will be because he continues to average 40% from 3 on 7.8 attempts per game.

Darius Garland averaged 8.6 assists per game last year to go with his 21.7 ppg. Those are all star numbers. He also averaged 38% from 3 on 6.7 attempts per game.

These are not valid comps for a player who routinely drives into the heart of the defense to get his points. Aside from raw scoring totals, there just isn't anything about Sexton's game that helps his team out. I promise you guys there's no league-wide conspiracy to get Sexton a low contract. Teams are questioning the net value he adds and his best role on a good team.

It may very well have been a mistake to pay Simons that much, but the point is what he brings was in demand for Portland who wants to move forward with the player and see how he continues to develop and improve as his role expands. You pay for projected performance, not past performance.

Collin's 3pt shooting was improved from non-existent to good in just his rookie season. It's not hard to imagine given how hard he works and the endless hours he spends in the gym that it will continue to improve, but that's not why someone invests in Collin and the fact he has specific strengths and weakness at 6'2" doesn't mean there isn't a market for him ... it just means it's limited.

When you pile that on top of RFA status, the few teams that might have targeted him simply moved on to other plans via the draft, trade, and free-agency and now the only team that might need him barely has anything to offer and no cap space to sign him.

I'm not saying RFA is the only factor in why Collin hasn't gotten a $25M offer, I'm just pushing back at your rejection that it's not a factor. Fortunately for the Cavs, Koby has made sure that Collin has very little leverage ... not so much for Collin.

Sexton has been asked to increase the number of his three point attempts for years by multiple coaching staffs, and has declined to do so. If you're projecting he'll change his style of play cuz *reasons,* then that's a shame on you outcome if it doesn't happen.

More than that, there's a real question in my mind whether Sexton gets that the relationship with his teammates, while on the court, is reciprocal. They're not out there just to space the floor, get rebounds, and defend. The Cavs did not offer Love that extension so Sexton could use him as a $30M decoy (one that became less and less effective when no one in the arena believed Sexton would pass it to him). His meager assist totals mostly occurred around the rim. Once the ball went into to the paint, it didn't come back out, and all of that made the Cavs as a team easier to defend.

If teams thought Sexton was a good investment on a starter's contract, teams would trade contracts into existing cap space and make the offer the Cavs wouldn't match. A player's trade value ahead of free agency is usually a pretty good indication of that player's market. Drummond averaged 20 and 10 for years, he was traded for expiring contracts and a second round pick, and luckily for the Cavs, his agent didn't allow that to inform his decision during the extension conversations. We're coming up on his second season where he can't even get the MLE or the promise of a starting role.

Sexton's trade value last summer should've been an indication to his agents that it was time to start managing client expectations. Since then, he played poorly, got injured, and his team was not just better, but much better with him off the court. Is an objective evaluation of that outcome more complicated? Yes, but none of that helped his market and his market was already softer than his box numbers would project.

Actually the Cavs were going to pay Andre Drummond far more than what his market valued turned out to be, but stubbornly held on to believe he was a max player and that's why he is where's he's at. His rebellion against the Cavs hedging their bets by trading for Allen also played a role in his demise. If he could had proven he could sacrifice and fit with a team like his early play with the Cavs suggested might be possible - he would have been a lot more valuable.

If you want to re-litigate all of this past history, and argue about Collin's value and his 3pt shooting volume - I guess it's something to do until Summer League starts?

Oh, that's just a few hours away...

But again, my only point here is that value in the league is fluid, Sexton has reason to believe that there's a confluence of events that might have gotten him paid, and I have zero doubt that RFA can restrict a player's value. Which means even if RFA didn't play a role in suppressing Collin's pay day (which I doubt) it's quite likely he believes or will be told it did. Player's have huge egos and agents know how to feed them.

If the Cavs are upfront with him and appear co-operative in helping him try to get what he wants, there's a chance there's a happy ending for everyone involved; but I'm not counting on it and I'm glad Altman has hedged.

[JonFromVA]

Sexton has been asked to increase the number of his three point attempts for years by multiple coaching staffs, and has declined to do so. If you're projecting he'll change his style of play cuz *reasons,* then that's a shame on you outcome if it doesn't happen.

More than that, there's a real question in my mind whether Sexton gets that the relationship with his teammates, while on the court, is reciprocal. They're not out there just to space the floor, get rebounds, and defend. The Cavs did not offer Love that extension so Sexton could use him as a $30M decoy (one that became less and less effective when no one in the arena believed Sexton would pass it to him). His meager assist totals mostly occurred around the rim. Once the ball went into to the paint, it didn't come back out, and all of that made the Cavs as a team easier to defend.

If teams thought Sexton was a good investment on a starter's contract, teams would trade contracts into existing cap space and make the offer the Cavs wouldn't match. A player's trade value ahead of free agency is usually a pretty good indication of that player's market. Drummond averaged 20 and 10 for years, he was traded for expiring contracts and a second round pick, and luckily for the Cavs, his agent didn't allow that to inform his decision during the extension conversations. We're coming up on his second season where he can't even get the MLE or the promise of a starting role.

Sexton's trade value last summer should've been an indication to his agents that it was time to start managing client expectations. Since then, he played poorly, got injured, and his team was not just better, but much better with him off the court. Is an objective evaluation of that outcome more complicated? Yes, but none of that helped his market and his market was already softer than his box numbers would project.

Weren't there multiple rumors of potential trades for Sexton last summer? Including to the Heat for Herro, and several others? There was definitely a market for him after his 3rd season.

The Knicks and the Heat were the two, over-the-cap teams, rumored to have been interested. Herro was in Riley's doghouse due to off-the-court stuff so they made him available. I absolutely would've made that trade. But the Knicks offer was basically a late first and Knox. The Heat moved on after the Lowry S&T and the Knicks clear space to get Brunson this summer. The point is that those offers were not in line with what one would anticipate for a guy coming off his third year on a rookie contract who averaged 24 ppg. Going solely off the box score numbers, Sexton's trade market should've been far more robust. The warning signs were there.

The risk EVERYONE was worried about is that another team would swoop in and offer Collin more money than they'd be willing to match. That should tell you something too.

[gflem]

Weren't there multiple rumors of potential trades for Sexton last summer? Including to the Heat for Herro, and several others? There was definitely a market for him after his 3rd season.

The Knicks and the Heat were the two, over-the-cap teams, rumored to have been interested. Herro was in Riley's doghouse due to off-the-court stuff so they made him available. I absolutely would've made that trade. But the Knicks offer was basically a late first and Knox. The Heat moved on after the Lowry S&T and the Knicks clear space to get Brunson this summer. The point is that those offers were not in line with what one would anticipate for a guy coming off his third year on a rookie contract who averaged 24 ppg. Going solely off the box score numbers, Sexton's trade market should've been far more robust. The warning signs were there.

The risk EVERYONE was worried about is that another team would swoop in and offer Collin more money than they'd be willing to match. That should tell you something too.

No, I was worried that some team would come in and offer Collin more money than they SHOULD match and they do. If that happens but they don't match so be it, it's not like they weren't able to score at all after he went out. In fact, until Rubio got hurt the offense looked better overall without Collin in the game. Now, there were certainly games that he would have helped after the injuries started mounting but it's not a catastrophe if another team overpays him to the point that the Cavs won't match imo.

[JujitsuFlip]

I've been pronouncing this guys first name wrong the whole time.

Raul Neto (Hah-OOL Nett-oh)

[toooskies]

The Knicks and the Heat were the two, over-the-cap teams, rumored to have been interested. Herro was in Riley's doghouse due to off-the-court stuff so they made him available. I absolutely would've made that trade. But the Knicks offer was basically a late first and Knox. The Heat moved on after the Lowry S&T and the Knicks clear space to get Brunson this summer. The point is that those offers were not in line with what one would anticipate for a guy coming off his third year on a rookie contract who averaged 24 ppg. Going solely off the box score numbers, Sexton's trade market should've been far more robust. The warning signs were there.

The risk EVERYONE was worried about is that another team would swoop in and offer Collin more money than they'd be willing to match. That should tell you something too.

No, I was worried that some team would come in and offer Collin more money than they SHOULD match and they do. If that happens but they don't match so be it, it's not like they weren't able to score at all after he went out. In fact, until Rubio got hurt the offense looked better overall without Collin in the game. Now, there were certainly games that he would have helped after the injuries started mounting but it's not a catastrophe if another team overpays him to the point that the Cavs won't match imo.

Is there another realistic free agent the Cavs could get with their cap space without overpaying besides LeBron? (The nature of free agency is that you generally have to be willing to pay the most to get the free agent, so you are probably overpaying for anyone of consequence.)

Is there any player who we're worried about being able to afford before Sexton's contract would end? (Maybe Markkanen?)

I'm not particularly worried about overpaying Sexton unless we think we're getting LeBron in 2023.

[JonFromVA]

The Knicks and the Heat were the two, over-the-cap teams, rumored to have been interested. Herro was in Riley's doghouse due to off-the-court stuff so they made him available. I absolutely would've made that trade. But the Knicks offer was basically a late first and Knox. The Heat moved on after the Lowry S&T and the Knicks clear space to get Brunson this summer. The point is that those offers were not in line with what one would anticipate for a guy coming off his third year on a rookie contract who averaged 24 ppg. Going solely off the box score numbers, Sexton's trade market should've been far more robust. The warning signs were there.

The risk EVERYONE was worried about is that another team would swoop in and offer Collin more money than they'd be willing to match. That should tell you something too.

No, I was worried that some team would come in and offer Collin more money than they SHOULD match and they do. If that happens but they don't match so be it, it's not like they weren't able to score at all after he went out. In fact, until Rubio got hurt the offense looked better overall without Collin in the game. Now, there were certainly games that he would have helped after the injuries started mounting but it's not a catastrophe if another team overpays him to the point that the Cavs won't match imo.

My roundabout point here was that if team's were concerned about being priced out on Collin and having to let him walk, then those GM's are basically admitting there was a chance Collin might get paid and they had no interest getting stuck in our current spot unless the cost was minimal.

[jbk1234]

The Knicks and the Heat were the two, over-the-cap teams, rumored to have been interested. Herro was in Riley's doghouse due to off-the-court stuff so they made him available. I absolutely would've made that trade. But the Knicks offer was basically a late first and Knox. The Heat moved on after the Lowry S&T and the Knicks clear space to get Brunson this summer. The point is that those offers were not in line with what one would anticipate for a guy coming off his third year on a rookie contract who averaged 24 ppg. Going solely off the box score numbers, Sexton's trade market should've been far more robust. The warning signs were there.

The risk EVERYONE was worried about is that another team would swoop in and offer Collin more money than they'd be willing to match. That should tell you something too.

No, I was worried that some team would come in and offer Collin more money than they SHOULD match and they do. If that happens but they don't match so be it, it's not like they weren't able to score at all after he went out. In fact, until Rubio got hurt the offense looked better overall without Collin in the game. Now, there were certainly games that he would have helped after the injuries started mounting but it's not a catastrophe if another team overpays him to the point that the Cavs won't match imo.

Yeah, Jon's a good poster but EVERYONE is doing some really heavy lifting there.

[jbk1234]

The risk EVERYONE was worried about is that another team would swoop in and offer Collin more money than they'd be willing to match. That should tell you something too.

No, I was worried that some team would come in and offer Collin more money than they SHOULD match and they do. If that happens but they don't match so be it, it's not like they weren't able to score at all after he went out. In fact, until Rubio got hurt the offense looked better overall without Collin in the game. Now, there were certainly games that he would have helped after the injuries started mounting but it's not a catastrophe if another team overpays him to the point that the Cavs won't match imo.

Is there another realistic free agent the Cavs could get with their cap space without overpaying besides LeBron? (The nature of free agency is that you generally have to be willing to pay the most to get the free agent, so you are probably overpaying for anyone of consequence.)

Is there any player who we're worried about being able to afford before Sexton's contract would end? (Maybe Markkanen?)

I'm not particularly worried about overpaying Sexton unless we think we're getting LeBron in 2023.

Free agency isn't static. The Cavs will have two off seasons after this one to explore free agency. The choice really isn't Sexton or no one. Also, if Sexton doesn't end up starting, for any reason, and that doesn't sit well with him, no one could end up being the better option.

[KuruptedCav]

I’m not worried about paying Sexton or LeVert $15-$20 million per year for 2+1. That’s 60-70th highest salary range, so there are hundreds of salary permutations to match/aggregate to/from.

My concern will always be that the Cavs, sans Lebron, have always struggled to attract talent in free agency. The one advantage they have over other teams is Dan Gilbert’s willingness to spend. Maintaining cap space/flex doesn’t utilize it to its potential.

I could be wrong and hope I am. But I think their best avenue is to live as an over the cap team and have salaries to send out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jbk1234]

I’m not worried about paying Sexton or LeVert $15-$20 million per year for 2+1. That’s 60-70th highest salary range, so there are hundreds of salary permutations to match/aggregate to/from.

My concern will always be that the Cavs, sans Lebron, have always struggled to attract talent in free agency. The one advantage they have over other teams is Dan Gilbert’s willingness to spend. Maintaining cap space/flex doesn’t utilize it to its potential.

I could be wrong and hope I am. But I think their best avenue is to live as an over the cap team and have salaries to send out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There are several issues with the idea that the Cavs can't attract free agents so they shouldn't worry about it: (1) The NBA is changing. Players want to go to teams that are winning, especially unselfish ones. Older players are eating up way too much of the cap space pie. Ayton is ready to leave a warm weather city that was in the conference finals. (2) The Cavs have a very narrow window here before they'll be operating as an over-the-cap team for the foreseeable future. (3) Being able to take back more money than other teams in a trade is an advantage in negotiations. (4) Paying players more money than other teams would agree to pay them could make them unattractive in trades regardless of what percentile salary they occupy. Cedi makes $8M. Windler makes only $4M. Both are expiring, neither likely has positive trade value. (5) Players tend to develop role and minutes expectations that correspond with the money they're paid. I could live with Sexton being the highest paid sixth man in the NBA ($16-17M per), but there better be buy-in from Sexton at that number.

[JonFromVA]

I’m not worried about paying Sexton or LeVert $15-$20 million per year for 2+1. That’s 60-70th highest salary range, so there are hundreds of salary permutations to match/aggregate to/from.

My concern will always be that the Cavs, sans Lebron, have always struggled to attract talent in free agency. The one advantage they have over other teams is Dan Gilbert’s willingness to spend. Maintaining cap space/flex doesn’t utilize it to its potential.

I could be wrong and hope I am. But I think their best avenue is to live as an over the cap team and have salaries to send out.

I agree with this, and would just add that if Altman can manipulate the contract lengths, $, and guarantees ... he can technically maintain cap space / flexibility. It's not clear he's done a good job of this at the moment because if Collin takes his QO, we'll have to release or dump a player, but that's a minor quibble.

[toooskies]

No, I was worried that some team would come in and offer Collin more money than they SHOULD match and they do. If that happens but they don't match so be it, it's not like they weren't able to score at all after he went out. In fact, until Rubio got hurt the offense looked better overall without Collin in the game. Now, there were certainly games that he would have helped after the injuries started mounting but it's not a catastrophe if another team overpays him to the point that the Cavs won't match imo.

Is there another realistic free agent the Cavs could get with their cap space without overpaying besides LeBron? (The nature of free agency is that you generally have to be willing to pay the most to get the free agent, so you are probably overpaying for anyone of consequence.)

Is there any player who we're worried about being able to afford before Sexton's contract would end? (Maybe Markkanen?)

I'm not particularly worried about overpaying Sexton unless we think we're getting LeBron in 2023.

Free agency isn't static. The Cavs will have two off seasons after this one to explore free agency. The choice really isn't Sexton or no one. Also, if Sexton doesn't end up starting, for any reason, and that doesn't sit well with him, no one could end up being the better option.

The choice is likely to be paying Sexton whatever contract he will accept at this point, or overpaying someone else.

[JujitsuFlip]

Is there another realistic free agent the Cavs could get with their cap space without overpaying besides LeBron? (The nature of free agency is that you generally have to be willing to pay the most to get the free agent, so you are probably overpaying for anyone of consequence.)

Is there any player who we're worried about being able to afford before Sexton's contract would end? (Maybe Markkanen?)

I'm not particularly worried about overpaying Sexton unless we think we're getting LeBron in 2023.

Free agency isn't static. The Cavs will have two off seasons after this one to explore free agency. The choice really isn't Sexton or no one. Also, if Sexton doesn't end up starting, for any reason, and that doesn't sit well with him, no one could end up being the better option.

The choice is likely to be paying Sexton whatever contract he will accept at this point, or overpaying someone else.

If the overpay is for someone like LeBron, Wiggins, Barnes, Grant, or KCP then that is far better for the Cavs than paying Sexton.

[jbk1234]

Is there another realistic free agent the Cavs could get with their cap space without overpaying besides LeBron? (The nature of free agency is that you generally have to be willing to pay the most to get the free agent, so you are probably overpaying for anyone of consequence.)

Is there any player who we're worried about being able to afford before Sexton's contract would end? (Maybe Markkanen?)

I'm not particularly worried about overpaying Sexton unless we think we're getting LeBron in 2023.

Free agency isn't static. The Cavs will have two off seasons after this one to explore free agency. The choice really isn't Sexton or no one. Also, if Sexton doesn't end up starting, for any reason, and that doesn't sit well with him, no one could end up being the better option.

The choice is likely to be paying Sexton whatever contract he will accept at this point, or overpaying someone else.

You don't know that.

[toooskies]

Free agency isn't static. The Cavs will have two off seasons after this one to explore free agency. The choice really isn't Sexton or no one. Also, if Sexton doesn't end up starting, for any reason, and that doesn't sit well with him, no one could end up being the better option.

The choice is likely to be paying Sexton whatever contract he will accept at this point, or overpaying someone else.

You don't know that.

I don't, but the vast majority of free agent deals where a player switches teams for the highest offer over the MLE are overpays to begin with. It is the nature of free agency. The team that values the player as being worth the most money is typically overvaluing that player.

It's nothing particular about Cleveland, although Cleveland being Cleveland doesn't help.

[JonFromVA]

The choice is likely to be paying Sexton whatever contract he will accept at this point, or overpaying someone else.

You don't know that.

I don't, but the vast majority of free agent deals where a player switches teams for the highest offer over the MLE are overpays to begin with. It is the nature of free agency. The team that values the player as being worth the most money is typically overvaluing that player.

It's nothing particular about Cleveland, although Cleveland being Cleveland doesn't help.

Agents have often used Dan Gilbert to get their player paid, but we were desperate to find ways to improve the team and keep LeBron. Altman hasn't acted desperate and hopefully he can keep that up.

One key to signing free agents, though, is having a clear opening for them. Certainly LeBron isn't going to concern himself that we have Lauri Markkenen under contract. He'd see all the depth we're able to retain as a plus that he won't have to play big minutes, but a lot of free agents would see him as someone in their way. Same for our large group of SG's.

But without some behind the scenes collusion, are we really going to clear out a spot to bid on a free-agent that we might not be able to convince to come here even if we have the minutes and the money?

It's just a lot easier for the Cavs to add talent via trades, and as a bonus we get to see how they fit before we need to make them an offer.

But James is clearly the exception unless Gilbert decides not this time.