92.3 The Fan (CLEVELAND, Ohio) - The Cleveland Cavaliers failed to sign veteran guard Collin Sexton to a contract extension before Monday's deadline, setting up the former lottery pick as a restricted free agent following the 2021-22 season.
Sexton, who was reportedly eyeing a multi-year deal worth over $100 million, spoke at Cavaliers practice on Tuesday about his reaction to the stalled talks, and his mentality moving into the upcoming season.
"Just disappointed, but I know they want me here. Just a little disappointed but...at the end of the day, we move on, and tomorrow's the day."
Tomorrow is the Cavaliers' regular-season opener - on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies.
"My path is different from everybody else," Sexton added. "I might have a little more bumps in the road, but I'm going to get through it, [and] push throught the finish line regardless. I can't ever compare myself to anyone else."
"I'm Collin Sexton, and that's who [I'm going] to be."
What Sexton will be heading into tomorrow's opener is a fourth-year NBA guard that has provided most of the Cavaliers' offensive production since his arrival to the league in 2018. Sexton has improved his points-per-game total by four points in each of his last two seasons, including a career-high 24.3 points for the 2020-21 season (18th among all NBA players). Sexton also averaged 47.5% from the field and 37.1% from the 3-point line, along with 4.4 assists.
"I think it's important he knows we have empathy for him," Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff added on Sexton. "We know the pressures and the excitement that surround his situation, and the way that it came to a resolution...can be difficult, because he wants to be here. His personality won't allow him to be anybody else. He's going to play the way he knows how to play."
"Our conversation was, in order to impact change, we have to impact winning. And our play, our coaching, everything we do...has to make an impact on winning. If you do those things , the respect you gain around the league comes, the finances come...so that's what our message to him has been. Go out there, show us how you impact winning, and help us become a better basketball team."
The Cavaliers can lay the first brick of "winning" tomorrow night at FedExForum. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m.
