As the Cleveland Cavaliers worked their way from NBA basement dweller to a near-playoff contender during the 2021-22 season, change was a major factor in the team's progression over the law few months. Adjusting to front office moves, player injuries, and roster rotations was quite the norm for the Cavs - and that included working around the early-season loss of veteran guard Collin Sexton.
Sexton, who played in just 11 games for Cleveland before suffering a torn meniscus, saw the team surge to a 44-38 regular-season finish and a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Players like Darius Garland and Evan Mobley evolved into up-and-coming stars, while vets like Kevin Love were rejuvenated with fresh talent to compete with opposing league teams.
And then there's Sexton, who is a restricted free agent after the season. While his activity was mostly set on the Cavs' sideline, the former lottery pick's contributions included continually cheering on teammates and making himself a veteran presence at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse for a significant period of the season.
“It means a lot to me, just being around the team and being able to put my input on different situations, and just continuing to help," said Sexton during the Cavs' Saturday end-of-season press conference. "I enjoy being on the sideline just cheering my teammates on. It’s much different cheering through a [television] than when you’re in person, and [you] have the crowd and everybody into it.”
While Sexton certainly made the effort to support the team, his absence almost surely had an impact on a lineup that struggled offensively through the latter portion of the campaign. The Cavs ranked 25th among all NBA teams in scoring (107.8 points per game), with Garland leading the way at 21.7 points per contest. Should Sexton return to Cleveland for the 2022-23 year, an potential elite scoring backcourt looks to be in the cards for the Cavs - and according to Sexton, he wants to make that return a reality.
"I want to be here in Cleveland...I know I want to continue to be a part of this winning culture...I love Cleveland and I want to be here."
As of now, Sexton is still working back from his season-ending surgery back in November. 'Young Bull' talked about his progression on Saturday:
“I’m getting there. Every day is a grind. As long as I get better, one percent, each and every day I wake up, it’s a win-win, so I just continue to just know that some days are going to be better than others and just continue to know that I will be full-go, and I know I’m going to be a hundred percent.”
Sexton did, however, affirm he would be ready for Cavs' training camp ahead of next season.
