RISKY VENTURE

'Stubborn' Sexton may not be right player to run point for Thibs' Knicks

One NBA personnel man cautions the Knicks better know what they are getting in 22-year-old stud Collin Sexton before entertaining a draft-night trade for the Cavaliers point guard.

According to an NBA personnel man who has done a lot of homework on Sexton, handing the point guard keys to the former Alabama speedster is risky.

While Sexton will turn into a longtime solid pro, asking him to be the Knicks quarterback for the future might not be his strongest suit.

The personnel man believes Sexton is more a future sixth man of the year candidate than All-Star point guard. And he has a “stubborn’’ streak who has turned off some teammates and former Cavaliers coach John Beilein.

The Knicks have interest for the right price in the guard selected No. 8 in the 2018 draft — one slot ahead of Kevin Knox.

“He’s ultracompetitive and you never have to motivate him,’’ the personnel director said. “He’s a self-starter who works really hard. He wants to be good. He’s very driven. He’s also very stubborn. There’s good and bad with that. The great part is he’s going to work and get better. There probably is some me-first stuff there that can sometimes creep in.’’

If the Knicks offer their 19th pick, Knox and Obi Toppin, the Knicks would be banking on Sexton to fill their gaping hole at starting point guard.

“I think what I’ve always felt is his ideal role is to be a Lou Williams second-unit microwave scoring option,’’ the personnel man said. “Jamal Crawford and Vinnie Johnson made a living out of it. Jordan Clarkson was that guy this year. That to me is how I envision his best role because he‘s a scoring offensive-minded small guard. He’s not a point guard is the problem — if there is a problem. If you try to make him into a point guard, that’s where the disappointment might come.’’

The Cavaliers are shopping Sexton before committing to a rookiecontract extension he’s due in October. Rumors are Sexton wants a maximum $168 million package. Sexton’s agent is Austin Brown of Creative Artists Agency — which Knicks president Leon Rose formerly managed.

Sexton averaged 24.3 points and 4.4 assists last season but has been part of three straight losing Cavs clubs. The Cavaliers drafted point guard Darius Garland in the 2019 lottery. The pairing has not been a winning combination.

“Drafting Garland was somewhat surprising,’’ the scouting director said. “But you draft the best player you can get and figure out the rest later. I like Garland a lot. He’s certainly more of a point guard.’’

The Knicks are desperate for a starting point guard and they’ll have free-agent options in Kyle Lowry, Lonzo Ball, Dennis Schroder, Spencer Dinwiddie, Cam Payne, Reggie Jackson and maybe even Chris Paul.

The Cavaliers may need to resolve the Sexton-Garland dilemma on draft night Thursday, though multiple reports state Cleveland is trying to win now and prefers a ready-made veteran. The Knicks are stocked with draft picks through 2026.

The Knicks are willing to peddle a slew of those but also want to save plenty of futures for a superstar package if Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal demand trades.

“I don’t think of him as selfish,’’ the front-office talent evaluator said. “I do think there’s times he rubbed vets the wrong way. There’s a self-confidence and a stubbornness. He’s kind of singularly focused on the floor. He plays nothing but full speed. He’s just looking to get the ball up the floor, get a shot, get a layup, get to the basket, whatever he can do to score.

“It’s not selfish — just that’s what he’s good at and focused on. He’ll pass the ball. He’s not a guy who will create for others. Just not his strength. He’s a small scoring guard. And that’s OK.’’

Sexton has gotten along better with Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff than Beilein, who didn’t last the season in 2019-20.

“The question coming out his rookie year: was he willing to accept coaching?” the personnel director said. “That we don’t yet have the answer to. There was a little bristling Beilein. [Sexton] will question things. Frankly, he’s stubborn.’’

Beilein is no Thibodeau. “Thibs might be exactly what he needs,’’ the personnel man said. “I feel like Thibodeau would respect his tenacity and work ethic in return. Collin would do what Thibs would ask of him. It’s a pretty good match. Both are so driven, and Thibs would respect the hardwork part, how hard he plays. The only thing I’d caution is giving the guy the key to the franchise to run the team. But Derrick [Rose] wasn’t a pass-first guy either. It’s not the worst comparison.’’