Cavs Prefer Caris LeVert Over Collin Sexton?

When it comes right down to it, only one shooting guard can start for the Cavaliers in 2022-23.

That’s generally how it works. For the Cavs, that means either Caris LeVert, or the still-unsigned Collin Sexton. As we relayed here, the Cavs and Sexton remain at a stalemate when it comes to contract negotiations — though the Cavs’ offer is out there.

But let’s say Sexton does return. Does he move right back into his starting role, where he was before suffering a torn meniscus last season? Or does he finally come off the bench where so many Cavs fans (and others around the league) seem to think is his best role?

As you know, the Cavs landed LeVert as part of the Ricky Rubio trade with the Pacers in February. LeVert performed fairly well in limited time — then came the All-Star break, followed by an ankle injury. 

He never really regained his rhythm. But sources have told Hoops Wire the Cavs believe a full training camp and season alongside Darius Garland will serve LeVert well. And LeVert has proven he can score bushels of baskets in a matter of moments, as he did with the Pacers. (For instance, he erupted for 42 points in his final game with Indiana.)

Interestingly, LeVert is due for a contract extension. He has said he hopes one comes from the Cavs, that he would like to remain in Cleveland. But right now, the Cavs’ priority is understandably figuring out the Sexton situation.

Either way, they may prefer LeVert.

“There are multiple people inside the organization that if they have their choice between Caris LeVert and Collin Sexton, they would take Caris over Collin because of the size, because of the length, because of the versatility that he can bring on the defensive end of the floor,” Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com said on the Zach Lowe podcast. “And they liked what they saw with Caris and Darius together. Obviously, the numbers back that up.”

LeVert appeared in just 19 games with the Cavs, a very small sample size, not even a quarter of a season. He averaged 13.6 points and 3.9 assists. If there’s one thing he proved, it’s that he’s capable of breaking down defenders off the dribble. Fitting in entirely with the rest of the offense remained a bit of a question mark.

But again, he barely got in any run. Not with a fully healthy roster. Fedor went on to explain the LeVert-Sexton talk in his reader mailbag.

“The two play the same position. They have a similar skillset,” Fedor wrote. “LeVert was acquired at the deadline as a short-term injury replacement, providing a little bit of playmaking in Rubio’s absence and bringing that aggressive, attack-the-rim scoring the team missed because of Sexton’s season-ending meniscus tear. Still, because of LeVert’s age and contract situation, there were also thoughts about him being a long-term play if he looked like a quality fit alongside Cleveland’s budding core. The Cavs didn’t really get a chance at a full-fledged evaluation.”

That’s just it. They haven’t had a real chance to see LeVert for an extended period. No one has. Not in Cleveland. But everyone saw what he was capable of in Indiana. And that was impressive.

Along with LeVert, the Cavs have Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman and rookie lottery pick Ochai Agbaji at the position. There is a bit of a logjam. And we haven’t even mentioned Sexton, who averaged 24.3 points next to Garland in 2020-21 (and a team-best 16.0 points at the time of the injury).

Now, make no mistake, this is a good problem for coach J.B. Bickerstaff and the Cavs. As we learned during last season’s injury-prone run, you can never have too much depth.

The question is, can you have both LeVert and Sexton, keep both happy and still win games and take the next step in the process? The Cavs seem to be asking that themselves.