After over two decades of prosperity, the San Antonio Spurs are finally in a full-blown rebuild — and it all surrounds young stud Dejounte Murray, who has emerged as a future star.
According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Spurs will be looking for a running mate for Murray this summer, and Cleveland.com’s Collin Sexton is their prime candidate.
Is Sexton — a 6-foot-1 score-first guard who played just 11 games before suffering a season-ending torn meniscus — worth a big contract? Will some team be willing to tie up cap space for three days, only to have the Cavs match an offer? Will Orlando, Detroit, Indiana, San Antonio or Portland — the only five teams currently with projected cap space — view Sexton as a justifiable acquisition?
Sources maintain that Detroit and Indiana are viewed as the biggest threats. At least one member of the front office wonders if the Pistons will make Sexton a priority, especially if Dallas retains prized free agent Jalen Brunson. Both the Pistons and Pacers have taller backcourt mates (Tyrese Haliburton for the Pacers and 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham) that would minimize some of the size concerns while also keeping Sexton from needing to be the primary creator. The Spurs, who sources say have some Sexton fans in their front office, fit those same parameters — if they’re looking for a new Dejounte Murray running mate. The Blazers are said to covet Detroit swingman Jerami Grant, which would seemingly take them out of the Sexton discussions. Orlando has an overabundance of guards already. The Magic also had a chance to draft Sexton in 2018, opting instead for center Mo Bamba. So, they seem out.
Sexton still has a lot to prove before he can call himself a star. In three years in the league, the young guard has been inconsistent and inefficient. This past season, he played just 11 games while averaging 28 minutes per game.
Alongside Murray in San Antonio, Sexton has the chance to cultivate a culture of his own with a new team. Whether or not it will be enough to win some games remains to be seen…
