4 potential landing spots for Collin Sexton amid trade rumors

Next year's free agent class is absolutely loaded, meaning the Knicks may prefer to keep their books open until then. However, the fact that they became such a competitive team under Tom Thibodeau's guidance may mean that they're looking to make a splash sooner rather than later.

A move for Sexton could prove to be an impactful and smart decision for 2021-22 and beyond, seeing as he's a spark plug combo guard that could help a team that struggled on the offensive side with Elfrid Payton and Frank Ntilikina. Both of them, as well as Alec Burks, Reggie Bullock and Derrick Rose, are impending free agents, so someone will have to fill the backcourt before next year. Having a ton of cap room doesn't hurt, either.

Is Sexton the star scorer that Luka Doncic needs in the Dallas back court? It's certainly an interesting idea, and it's one that Audacy Dallas affiliate 105.3 The Fan's own Matt Galatzan discussed in the latest episode of the "Mavs Step Back Podcast." The important caveat? It might be part of a bigger deal including some expensive big men.

"I think it's perfectly reasonable," Galatzan said. "Collin Sexton gives you a guard off the bench that has a little bit of a mean streak to him and can run the offense efficiently and well, and is a decent defender and all that stuff.

"I feel like Kevin Love can be — assuming he stays healthy, which with KP is obviously still an issue, so you're not taking too much of a risk there — but assuming Kevin Love stays healthy, that gives you a more, in my opinion, reliable three-point shooter, a more reliable rebounder at this point. They're about the same at the defensive end. I think it's a fair trade, it gives KP a fresh start, it gives the Mavs some fresh blood, it gives them the backup guard that they need."

NBA Insider Sam Amico joined the K&C Masterpiece Friday and also weighed in on a potential deal. Watch the video above.

If nothing else, the duo of Ja Morant and Collin Sexton would be about as fiery, entertaining and exciting as any backcourt pairing that the league has to offer. Despite injuries to key players and low-ish expectations in consecutive seasons, the Grizzlies keep finding a way to stay afloat in the packed Western Conference and even stir up some trouble in the playoffs.

Adding another weapon of Sexton's caliber to increase the team's punch seems like a good idea, especially now, but the long-term commitment to him remains a question area. Due up soon are extensions to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant, and that would become a very expensive trio a few years down the road.

Not so long ago, a trade involving Ben Simmons for Collin Sexton would have reduced 76ers fans to a fit of laughter. Now... not so much. The question is whether or not the Cavaliers would think Simmons and his bulky contract (and offensive woes) would fit in their plans alongside Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro and whoever they opt to select in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Philly would also have to decide whether or not they want to commit to someone like Sexton, though his shot creation and scoring bursts would be a sight for sore eyes after there was none of that throughout this year's playoff run.

The other issue would be a matter of matching salaries, seeing as Simmons makes a heck of a lot more than Sexton. Kevin Love would likely need to be part of the deal, and though the Philly front court could use shooters, Love has one of the worst contracts in the NBA.