Golden State Warriors: Collin Sexton is a sneaky trade target

The Golden State Warriors should be scouring the market for players they can add in the offseason. One name that has mostly flown under the radar is Collin Sexton, who would be a sneakily good pick-up under the right circumstances.

Sexton, entering his fourth year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has been involved in trade rumors ever since his team landed the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Cleveland is expected to entertain deals for their young star if it means an opportunity to center the rebuild on Darius Garland and another prospect like Jalen Green or Evan Mobley.

With this news, the Warriors can be one of the teams bargaining for Sexton’s talents. After all, a player who just averaged 24.3 points per game is one the Warriors could use in their second unit. Furthermore, he fills their need for a backup to Stephen Curry.

Collin Sexton might be available in trade and the Golden State Warriors should be weighing their options in potentially targetting him.

Sexton is a speedy guard who can score from all three levels. He makes for an ideal spark plug on the bench with his consistent scoring and improved playmaking. In addition to raising his points per game average, Sexton has increased his assists each season as well.

However, problems arise when determining how to acquire Sexton. Surely, the Warriors’ two lottery picks would be more than enough to entice the Cavaliers — but how do they match salary? Golden State doesn’t exactly have many players to toss into this deal, other than Kelly Oubre, who would be a very interesting sign-and-trade piece in this scenario.

Let’s say the Cavaliers include a player like Larry Nance Jr. or Taurean Prince in the deal, along with Sexton, in return for Oubre and picks. This leaves the Warriors with a volume bench scorer and a versatile wing to make up for the loss of Oubre. As for Cleveland, they gain draft capital and a young 3-and-D forward to pair with their core.

Sadly, the issues don’t end there for Golden State. Sexton’s rookie deal is set to expire next season and there isn’t much reason to assume he’ll be okay taking less money to stay with the Warriors at this stage in his career. It’s likely Sexton would be a one-and-done in the Bay.

What if the Warriors included James Wiseman in the deal instead and moved up in the draft to take Cleveland’s spot at three. Could the opportunity to draft Evan Mobley or Jalen Suggs be enough for the Dubs to take a rental on Sexton?

This is the question we need to ask, is it worth coughing up any assets for a player who might leave as soon as next year? Is there any way the Warriors can make this work, regarldess? The answer is probably not. It is simply too much of a risk for the Dubs to make at this stage. Nonetheless, Sexton will be an under-the-radar target for the Dubs as the offseason continues.