The Cleveland Cavaliers showed their commitment to young point guard Darius Garland earlier this summer, agreeing a $193 million max rookie extension with the player, but is there still room for his most consistent backcourt partner, Collin Sexton, in Cleveland. Or is the 'SEX-LAND' dream dead?

Sexton was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 8th overall pick in 2018. Despite impressing in his rookie year, the Cavaliers decided to draft another guard in 2019, Darius Garland (5th overall). The thought process of the organization was questioned with both players lacking size & defensive credentials, but Cleveland had a vision and 'Sex-Land' was born.

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Despite playing in a bad team, both players improved with each passing season. In 2020/21 Sexton had a career year averaging 24.3 points, while shooting 51% on two-point attempts & 37% on three-point shots. However, outside of Garland the roster was very weak and the team went 22-50, finishing with the 3rd worst record in the Eastern Conference.

Unfortunately for Sexton he would not have the chance to build on his great year, with a torn meniscus in his left knee ending his 2021/22 season after just 11 games, but this put the offensive reigns solely in Garland's hands and he thrived. Averaging 21.7 points & 8.6 assists, helping to lead the team to a 44-38 record, and the franchise's first winning record without LeBron James since 1998.

Games played with and without differentials-Darius Garland & Collin Sexton

Darius Garland played 59 games without Collin Sexton last season and averaged 5.5 more points per game (22.6), 2.9 more assists per game (8.7) & shot better from the field, despite attempting 3.6 more shots a game. Compared to the 48 games he played with Sexton in 2020/21.

Meanwhile, in 2020/21 Collin Sexton played 12 games without Garland but saw minimal increases, just 0.3 in points per game (24.6), 1.2 assists per game (5.3) and he shot significantly worse from the field (43.6%) a five percent drop, compared to 24 points, 4 assists and 1 steal on near 49% field goal percentage and shooting 37% from three in 48 games alongside Garland.

Looking at this, Darius Garland is a better player without Collin Sexton, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a better team without Collin Sexton and why they would even consider keeping him around is crazy. However, 2021/22 was the first season since drafting both Sexton & Garland, that Cleveland had a competitive well rounded roster. Sexton barely had a chance to play as part of the new look team and there is no facts to say Garland and the Cavaliers would not have enjoyed similar successes playing with Sexton as part of the rotation.

At this moment it appears that Cleveland have made their choice by agreeing a max deal with Garland and offering Sexton a pathetic 3yr/$40m deal. However, it looks like Sexton will reject this offer, take the one year qualifying offer and remind Cleveland and the entire NBA of his talents in 2022/23.

Darius Garland is a traditional point guard, with great passing, vision, handles and the ability to score efficiently, but Sexton brings another set of skills that can compliment Garland. The 'young bull' has offensive athleticism, rim penetration and scoring instincts we don't see from Garland.

The original vision of a Garland & Sexton backcourt leading the Cavaliers back to success was blurred last season, but that does not mean that 'Sex-Land's' future in Cleveland is over!

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(PHOTO- Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)