New York Knicks aggressively pursuing trade for former first round pick

Collin Sexton could be on the move from Cleveland and the New York Knicks are the most aggressive team trying to trade for the Cavs high-scorer.

The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have to trade Collin Sexton, but the trade rumors are hot and heavy for the former first-round pick out of Alabama.

Sexton is eligible for his rookie extension this offseason and would be due a lucrative contract from the Cavaliers after averaging more than 20 points per game the last two seasons, including a career-high 24.3 last season.

If the Cavaliers don’t want to commit the finances to lock Sexton up for five more years, the team will elect to move him for draft picks and a collection of players.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the New York Knicks are being viewed as the team most aggressive in pursuit of the 6-foot-1 point guard.

New York Knicks trying to trade for Cavs point guard Collin Sexton

The Knicks were a revelation last season before faltering in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Playoffs. With Derrick Rose playing like the team’s best player in the postseason, he may have priced his way out of a return to New York.

With a decision looming for Julius Randle, the Knicks may want to pair him and R.J. Barrett with a young point guard, albeit one who is due a big raise, to make a push toward getting to the next level under Tom Thibodeau.

A core of Randle, Barrett, Sexton and last year’s No. 1 pick, Obi Toppin is a pretty good group to challenge the Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference hierarchy.

If the Knicks can package a few first round picks and not have to subtract from their core to execute a trade for the Cavs leading scorer, it’s a deal the Knicks would be wise to make.