San Antonio Spurs Receive: Collin Sexton
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Lonnie Walker IV, 2022 First-Round Pick (Top-5 Protected)
The San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers come together to swap players from the 2018 NBA Draft that are extension eligible.
The Spurs are landing Collin Sexton, who was the 8th overall pick in that year’s draft out of Alabama. The Cavaliers are landing Lonnie Walker IV, who was selected 18th overall out of Miami (FL).
In addition to Walker, the Cavaliers are also receiving a 2022 first-round pick from the Spurs that is top-5 protected. That gives San Antonio a little insurance in case things go poorly this upcoming season and the team bottoms out.
For Cleveland, this is a worthwhile trade. If they do not see Sexton as part of their long-term plans, they would be smart to get whatever assets they can for him. Acquiring Walker and a future first-round pick is better than nothing.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Cavaliers Still Expected To Consider Collin Sexton Trade
Walker would also help Cleveland balance out their roster. He would give them a potential building block on the wing, something they are lacking. He and Isaac Okoro, the team’s lottery pick from 2020, would be interchangeable on the wing at shooting guard and small forward.
Walker made some strides last season for the Spurs and looks poised for a solid fourth season. He averaged a career-high 11.2 points per game last season and is a 36.9 percent 3-point shooter in his career.
He stands 6’4” and possesses a 6’10” wingspan, giving him immense potential on the defensive side of the ball. Walker is athletic enough to defend either backcourt spot but has the length to defend on the wing as well, providing Cleveland with versatility on that end of the court.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Cavaliers Still Expected To Consider Collin Sexton Trade
It is hard to pinpoint what the market for a player such as Sexton would be, but this is a solid package for the Cavaliers. They get an equally young player to take a look at and add future draft capital that can be used to add another young player to the mix or in a trade package to land an established player.
