Breaking Down Collin Sexton New York Knicks Potential Trade

Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, and a 2021 first-round pick for Collin Sexton.

If this was the New York Knicks’ sincere offer, we should block their number and never pick up again. 

Trading Sexton will not only set the Cavs back as a team, but you might also lose the fan base as a whole if you don’t get a premium package in return. Right now, I don’t even want to talk about possible Ben Simmons trades, or other lowly returns from teams trying to poach Sexton from Cleveland.

Today’s strictly about what we can get from the Knicks, as it seems they’re the hottest team on Cleveland's tail. 

What the Knicks Have to Offer

According to Basketball Reference, New York has eight players currently signed for the upcoming season: Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox, Luca Vildoza, Immanuel Quickley, Mitchell Robinson, and Norvel Pelle.

In a trade based around Sexton, you can presumably take Julius Randle and Immanuel Quickley off of the trading block as the Knicks “untouchables”. Furthermore, Julius Randle joining a rebuilding team on a one-year deal is flat-out idiotic for both squads.

What the Cavs Need

On the Cavs side of things, they really only have two pieces that are untouchable. Those being, Darius Garland and the third pick in the upcoming draft. Besides that, nobody is really safe. 

Personally, any trade the Knicks offer has to start with RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin.

Barrett took a huge jump last season, upping all of his numbers and most importantly taking his three point percentage from 32 percent to 40 percent. He still has a huge weakness in his game, specifically his right hand, but adding a 6-foot-6 guard who can defend isn’t something to scoff at.

Toppin still has a lot of room for growth in his game, but the Cavs must have liked Toppin enough as they nearly took him at No. 5 in last seasons draft. My biggest concern with Toppin is his age. He may still be 23, but that leaves four Cavaliers that are younger than him, and this upcoming pick makes five. Does Toppin have any more room for growth in his game or are we trading for an average role player who’s already reached his peak?

Sexton's Real Trade Value

I know that Sexton’s trade value isn’t too high right now, but two rocky assets won’t get the job done. I think we need this year’s 19th pick and something else to sweeten the deal. I’d love to get another second round pick out of them from this year, or another future first round pick in 2023.

Lastly, to even out salaries we would have to dump some money. I think throwing Cedi Osman into the deal makes it pretty fair for both sides. A dream scenario would be moving Kevin Love’s $30 million deal but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

If the Knicks want to talk business, they need to step their game up big time. The Cavs front office isn’t that of the San Antonio Spurs, but hopefully they aren’t dumb enough to trade away their franchise corner stone for pennies on the dollar.