It's no secret that the New York Knicks are in the market for a point guard this offseason. It's also no secret that Leon Rose and the front office could have plenty of options to work through both in free agency and the trade market.
Collin Sexton's name is one that has really gained traction over the last couple of weeks. The Cavaliers seem hell bent on trading the former first-round pick and one team that is rumored to be heavily interested, the Knicks.
If the reported asking price for Collin Sexton is true, the Knicks almost have to say yes to the deal for the Cavaliers guard.
Let's start with the initial report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Knicks are the most aggressive trade suitor for Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton, sources said. Sexton is eligible for his rookie extension this offseason, and with one year left on his deal, it allows Cleveland to continue to be patient in constructing the roster.
Listing the Knicks as the most aggressive trade suitor for Sexton was the perfect way to frame the report for it to spread like wildfire, which it did yesterday. After the initial wave of intrigue passed, there were reports of what the trade package could look like for both sides.
A package that would include Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox, and one of New York’s 2021 first rounders appears to be an option for Collin Sexton after reaching out to a source. https://t.co/n4czhlMTGg
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) July 13, 2021
If Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox and either pick No. 19 or 21 lands you Collin Sexton, it would seem like an easy decision.
Kevin Knox wasn't in Tom Thibodeau's rotation last year. While he's still just 21-years-old, there isn't much to suggest that Knox is going to improve dramatically to the point where he would be apart of the second group off the bench in 2021. Unless the Knicks were to complete whiff in free agency and not sign a lot of proven depth, Knox's route to the rotation seems far-fetched no matter which way the pie is sliced.
Obi Toppin really came on at the end of the regular season and in the postseason. The No. 8 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft showed some of his freakish athleticism but more importantly, looked far more comfortable on the floor with his role in the second half and in the playoffs against the Hawks.
What's working against Toppin is quite simple: the Knicks have Julius Randle who plays the exact same position and is coming off an All-Star and All-NBA selection year. Randle will be do a new contract either this offseason or next and it's hard to imagine New York letting him go. Unless Toppin moves to the five spot, which seems highly unlikely, it's hard to picture him carving out a major role unless Thibs goes to more of a small ball lineup on a regular basis.
Toppin could turn out to be really good but given how the Knicks roster looks with Randle in the fold and that he was an “older rookie,” (23-years-old entering his second season), having to include him in a trade for Sexton would be tough but ultimately alright.
Finally, the reported offer that could come to fruition includes a first-round selection. The Knicks have three picks in the top 32 of the draft and that includes two first-round selection at No. 19 and No. 21.
These aren't lottery picks, these aren't inside the top 10. Having to part with one of the two first-rounders for a 22-year-old lead guard that averages 24 points per game and shoots it at 39% from three-point land throughout his career is a no-doubter. Having to include one of those picks shouldn't come close to making this a breaking point for New York.
It's unlikely that New York planned on bringing in four rookies (they have a late second round pick as well) for next season to all be part of the roster anyways so, losing one of those selections for a star guard is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds.
Keeping RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Immanuel Quickley and being able to acquire someone of Sexton's caliber is a win-win for New York. One thing that has had Knicks fans a bit on edge so far this offseason is the rumor of trades that would require New York to include either Barrett, Robinson or Quickley. If they can get Sexton for the rumored package, it'd be a steal for Leon Rose.
Collin Sexton has emerged into one of the real good young guards in the league. Being stuck in Cleveland, he hasn't quite gotten the attention that he may warrant. Going to New York would change all of that and it would give the Knicks the lead guard they desire.
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