NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks Interested In Cavs' Star Point Guard Ahead Of 2021-22 Season

The New York Knicks are not wasting any time in trying to improve their roster. The team is reportedly pursuing one of the top scorers that has appeared in recent trade rumors.

No team has been more aggressive than the Knicks in trying to acquire Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. After Cleveland landed the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, it was reported that the Cavaliers were exploring trade possibilities for Sexton.

New York’s offer to Cleveland would include Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox, and a first-round pick in this year’s draft, according to Evan Dammarell of WKYC in Cleveland. The Knicks have the No. 19 and No. 21 selections in the draft, which is scheduled for July 29.

A package that would include Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox, and one of New York’s 2021 first rounders appears to be an option for Collin Sexton after reaching out to a source. https://t.co/n4czhlMTGg
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) July 13, 2021

If the Knicks were to trade valuable assets for Collin Sexton, New York would effectively be committing to signing him long-term.

A max extension for Sexton would start at approximately $28.9 million for the 2022-23 season and sum to roughly $168 million over five years.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) July 13, 2021

Toppin was selected with the No. 8 overall pick in 2020. The 23-year-old struggled as a rookie with averages of 4.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Toppin was more productive off the bench in the playoffs, averaging 6.4 points in 13.0 minutes per game.

Knox averaged a career-low 3.9 points per game in his third NBA season.

Sexton was Cleveland’s leading scorer with 24.3 points per game. The 22-year-old shot a career-high 47.5% from the field.

Sexton’s play didn’t prevent the Cavs from being one of the NBA’s worst teams in the 2020-21 season. The dynamic guard is eligible to receive a max extension this summer worth approximately $168 million, which Cleveland might be unwilling to pay.

The Knicks made the playoffs for the first time in eight years. New York struggled mightily on offense and was eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round in five games.

With more projected cap space than any team in the league, the Knicks could afford to pay Sexton.

New York has been linked to several veteran guards for the upcoming offseason. Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry can both become free agents and would fit the Knicks’ need for a point guard. The Knicks have been keeping their eyes on Damian Lillard, who some believe could eventually approach the Portland Trail Blazers about a trade.

Sexton might be a much easier player to acquire than any of those three star guards.