Young Point-Guards for the Phoenix Suns to consider – Collin Sexton
Hold your horses, I know the Utah Jazz just inked Collin Sexton to a hefty, four-year, $71 million deal. I know he’s slated as the future of the franchise and that at 24-years-old, the Jazz would be foolish to not keep hold of Sexton and see if the keys will ignite a hidden star player.
It’s easy to see why the Jazz think so highly of Sexton. His athletic ability is uncanny and only matched by his focus and intensity. He can be an unselfish player and he has worked his tail off to recover from injuries.
Unfortunately for Jazz fans, their front office may have made a big miscalculation when they gave him that big contract. He can develop into a tenacious defender and a good slasher, but being the go-to option for an NBA team will likely be too much pressure.
I can foresee some very ugly shooting nights ahead as the Jazz rebuild this season. They believe that Sexton is a star player who could break out, but that remains a big question mark.
This season could cause a major toll on Sexton’s confidence and by the trade deadline, he may be voicing his concerns. It’s not easy for such a competitive spirit to play alongside lackluster talent when you know you can contribute to a winning situation. It becomes nearly unbearable when you’re not winning and are also struggling individually.
If the Jazz can shock people by being somewhat competitive (30-35 win season), then I don’t see this trade being a possibility. But if the Jazz stink as badly as most expect, there’s a sliver of hope that the Suns could acquire Sexton.
As for how he’d fare on the Suns, his responsibilities would be helping Devin Booker in the minutes that Paul sits. Booker has shown that he is more than adept at running the offense, so it’s not like Sexton would be alone on an island. His defense could develop and be a perfect fit for the Suns, allowing him to press the ball knowing that shot blockers like Deandre Ayton and Bismack Biyombo will meet any penetration at the rim.