Lmao he was the player who made everyone else worse on defense
That is a comment from someone who hasn't watched many Cavs games.
He has a high motor and stays in front of his man. He simply struggles with bigger players on switches, which in 2020, the Cavs played very poor help defense. Garland magnified the issue as they had two small guys in the backcourt so neither had much help in the backcourt.
What I have seen from Sexton, is someone who gives a huge effort on both ends, and has worked to improve. Any Cavs fan will tell you his defense has improved immensely since coming into the league, and, unlike the backcourt of the Jazz for the past few years, he makes a strong effort to anticipate, slip or fight over screens, as he has learned the best way to avoid a matchup size issue is to avoid the screen that causes it. He still goes under the screen too often, but that seemed to be an issue with their team concept two years ago. He also closes out well on shooters. Guarding his man 1 on 1 he is ok, because he has a high motor and makes an effort. Best case scenario he becomes an average to slightly below average defender. He needs to be paired with a strong defenders on the wings that can help flow the offense. He is essentially a 2 guard in a PG body. Don was not an ideal PG either, but he was better at it than Sexton.
The problem I have seen is lack of size, low IQ ball on both ends (by no means is he PG material), not for a lack of effort. Some of it may be poor coaching or lack of experience, but on D he overextends, gets out of position misses switches, etc. On offense he needs to learn to let the game flow and pick his spots. He often forces things and gets the team out of sync. Don is similar with offense, but has learned to let things flow more. Sexton can be a guy that takes over a game and wins it for you, and also a guu that puts a wrench in team momentum and loses a lot of games for you.
He has gained strength too, but still is small compared to most of the league. He seems like a great bench player. Maybe with improvement he can be decent as a starter. Many thought he could make the ASG in 21 as he played pretty well.
So he is not ideal, and does not fit the mold of the team I'd like to see, but I think he will be decent for what he is getting paid. I think Hardy will be the difference maker one way or the other.
I'm hopeful he was a buy-low type acquisitiom that will end up being a great value whether he stays or is traded.
