Cavs, Collin Sexton fail to agree on extension, guard becomes RFA after this season

Every day is a prove-it day for Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton, but that took on a dual meaning Monday.

A league source confirmed the Cavs and Sexton failed to reach a contract extension agreement on Sexton’s rookie deal by the league's 6 p.m. deadline. That means Sexton will become a restricted free agent after the 2021-22 season,

The Cavs' opener is set for Wednesday night at Memphis, with the home opener Friday against the Charlotte Hornets.

Sexton’s run in Cleveland may not end next spring. The Cavs will have the right to match any offer sheet Sexton receives, although it could be a short-term deal.

The Cavs weren’t willing to pay Sexton, drafted eighth overall out of Alabama in 2018, $100 million or more like some in his situation received. Sacramento Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox, the fifth pick in 2017, got a five-year, $163 million deal. Forward Michael Porter Jr., picked six spots behind Sexton, received a five-year, $207 million (its value with incentives) max extension from the Denver Nuggets.

A few hours before the deadline, Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff addressed Sexton’s extension with members of the Cleveland media.

“As coaches, we kind of focus on the basketball piece of it. I will let [Cavs General Manager Koby Altman] and his agent handle all of that,” Bickerstaff said Monday. “But we have put a lot of time into him. We believe in him. We would love to have him be a part of what we’re doing.”

In 60 games last season, Sexton averaged career-highs in points (24.3), assists (4.4), field goal percentage (.475) and 2-point percentage (.508) and tied for his career-best in rebounds (3.1) and steals (1.0). He’s been a consistent scorer since he arrived in Cleveland.

At media day, Altman said of Sexton, “We love him, we want him here long-term,” and Sexton said the feeling was mutual.

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As camp began, Sexton didn’t believe he had something to prove to the Cavs.

“Not at all. They love me. My teammates love me. I love being here,” Sexton said on Sept. 27. “Proving that we can win and we have a good thing going here in Cleveland, that’s the only people we proving.

“That’s how I think about it each and every day. I wake up like, ‘All right, it’s time, let’s prove that we can do this, let’s prove that or this. They said I couldn’t shoot. They said I couldn’t get teammates involved. Now I’m here to show it.”’

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Cavs at www.beaconjournal.com/cavs. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.