It’s next to impossible for a franchise to be left with anything at all after the departure of the greatest player in the world, LeBron James.
From burnt jerseys and money flow throughout a city, the Cleveland Cavaliers have again witnessed the social and economic devastation that was left by one man alone.
Cleveland were victims of a man-made disaster the first time LeBron left town, uniting with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. Going from championship contenders to first-pick-in-the draft contenders. This free-agency saw LeBron take his talents to the most storied franchise in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, this time around the city of Cleveland isn’t left completely boneless. At the 2017-18 trade deadline saw the Cavaliers front-office deny a trade that would have sent Tristan Thompson and the Brooklyn Nets 2018 pick for Clippers centre, Deandre Jordan.
Instead, Cleveland would hold on to what would turn out to be the pick used to draft Alabama guard, Collin Sexton.
At the floor general position, Sexton fills the hole the Cavaliers have been starved of since shipping all-star Kyrie Irving to Boston. If replacing Irving at the point wasn’t enough, Sexton will wear the same number that Irving helped deliver Cleveland’s first championship with (2).
With big shoes to step-in to, Sexton has so far rose to the occasion throughout his Summer League campaign. Confirming his ability to attack the rim and be a force on the defensive end, Sexton has also answered questions and shown he can drain shots outside the paint.
Coming straight off a one-and-done season in college and being handed the keys to the castle, Sexton is my pick to take home the rookie of the year trophy at the end of the regular season. I believe he can lead the Cavaliers to the eighth-best record in the East and put up stats that look similar to 16 points-per-game combined with six assists and two steals.
I can see him develop into a player of Jrue Holiday’s defence and Kemba Walker’s offensive package, combined with playing alongside veteran players such as George Hill and Kyle Korver will certainly work to the benefit of the ‘Young Bull’.
It will be interesting to once again see a rookie take over the franchise once led by the King himself.
Jett Hatton
Roar Pro
The Knicks are lottery bound but I'm very excited to see what they can be when Porzingis comes back. They were in the playoff race before he went down, and Knox looks really good.
Hammer
Guest
Sexton should be an early favourite for rookie of the year but cleveland will be lucky to squeeze into the 8 in the east. There's 7 teams that should make the playoffs - Boston Philly Indiana Toronto Washington (even with their crazy offseason moves) Bucks Miami ....and then there are teams like Detroit, Bulls and Cleveland who i think will battle it out for the last playoff spot. The rest are lottery bound again - my knicks, the magic, charlotte, nets and hawks
Swampy
Guest
The Cavs have 4 more finals appearances than any other Eastern conference team in the last four years and one title so their fans should be happy for that era. If I were a Cavs fan I'd be happy for the team to gradually rebuild some youth into the roster and get rid of some bloated contracts. Sexton is a good start. As soon as they can move ageing guys like Smith & korver & overpaid guys like Thompson then they'll be able to look towards retooling for the next decade. I can't see the current roster achieving much. Look out for Jordan Clarkson and Rodney hood to fire up 20 shots a game now with a cost of not winning games.
Jett Hatton
Roar Pro
I wouldn't be so sure on that.
Geoff Dustby
Guest
lets be serious they wont be relevant (or any other team in the east) for a decade
Garrett Brooks
Roar Rookie
I think Sexton has a good amount of potential, Cleveland is in a much better position in general this time around too, which will help him grow. Larry Nance Jr. is a nice piece to have grow alongside the young point guard as well.