Jazz’s Collin Sexton Viewed as Trade Candidate

Jazz guard Collin Sexton was just acquired from the Cavaliers in the Donovan Mitchell deal with the Cavaliers during the offseason. Then Sexton received a new contract.

But could Sexton be traded again? According to Michael Scotto and Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype, the answer is yes.

For the record, Sexton will be eligible to be traded on Dec. 15, when players acquired over the offseason can be moved, per NBA rules.

Sexton may not be sent away that quickly, of course. And the Jazz do like him. But they have a glut of pretty good guards and he has been coming off the bench. A deal involving Sexton could be viewed as a win-win — for both the Jazz and wherever Sexton may go next.

“While I’m sure they view him as a potential contributor for the next great Jazz team, I also feel with that contract, even if he projects to top out as a high-end backup in his current role right now, I think you can look at him now as a potential asset flip in the future if the right deal comes along,” Gozlan said of Sexton on the HoopsHype podcast. “There’s no rush to move him right now. They’re still playing well. I think that’ll come down a bit more.”

Sexton, 23, is averaging a career-low 14.2 points in Utah, but has proven to be a fit. He has forced almost nothing. This comes after a year in which he appeared in just 11 games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. 

In 2020-21, he averaged 24.3 points. But that came on a bad Cavaliers team. Someone had to score. For those Cavs, that guy was Sexton. His role with the Jazz is considerably different.

“Danny Ainge wanted to give Will Hardy an opportunity to have a group of guys he could work with and develop a culture there, especially as a first-year head coach,” Scotto told Gozlan. “I’ve heard Utah has been impressed with Lauri Markkanen. It would take a lot for Utah to trade him. Utah also wants to extend Jordan Clarkson, who owner Ryan Smith likes a lot.

“The rest of the roster is expendable, including Sexton, as you mentioned, especially with Utah coming back down to earth following the team’s hot start.