Cavs Announce They’ve Extended QO’s To Collin Sexton, RJ Nembhard

The Cavaliers have extended qualifying offers to guards Collin Sexton and RJ Nembhard, president of basketball operations Koby Altman announced in a press release.

Both players will now become restricted free agents in a move that was a formality when it comes to Sexton, and a bit of a surprise with Nembhard. 

Sexton, 23, is 6-1 and played just 11 games before suffering a torn MCL last season. He led the team in scoring at 16.0 points at the time of the injury. In 2020-21 season, he averaged a team-high 24.3 points.

As relayed by Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavs had until Wednesday at 5 p.m. EST to extend the qualifying offer for Sexton, but decided to make it a day early. The free agency negotiating period begins Thursday.

“Collin is obviously super important like we’ve always talked about, a big part of our culture,” Altman said. “Can’t talk too much about that right now as he’s a restricted free agent, but you know how we feel about him.”

Nembhard, 23, is 6-5 and went undrafted out of Texas Christian in 2021, signing a two-way deal with Cleveland in October. He appeared in 14 games with the Cavs, as well as spent time with the Cleveland Charge of the G League.