After parting ways with almost every free agent this summer except Austin Reaves, the Lakers had a glaring hole: shot creation and guard threats were thin behind their backcourt. That all changed with the signing of Collin Sexton to a two-year, $19 million deal, and suddenly, that bench unit looks a whole lot more dangerous. This guy is bringing a much-needed dynamic scoring punch to L.A.
L.A.’s New On-Ball Engine Is Built For Pressure
Sexton isn’t just a bench warmer, he’s a much-needed on-ball operator, ready to step in when Luka Dončić or Reaves miss any time. Sure, the modern game obsesses over defensive versatility and size from one to five, and Sexton, at 6’3″ and 190 pounds, is primarily an offensive player. But when you need points, he’s your guy. He’s not Jalen Brunson, no doubt, but to be effective at that size, efficiency is the name of the game. Sexton absolutely fits the bill, consistently putting pressure on the rim as a playmaker while hitting crucial off-ball shots. Splitting time with the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls, he averaged 15.4 points and 3.3 assists in just under 24 minutes per game, all while sitting just under the elusive 50-40-90 club. That’s 49% from the field, a blistering 40% on 3-pointers, and 86% from the free-throw line. Talk about efficient!
Picking Apart Defenses Like The League’s Best
This dude is an offensive jitterbug, pure and simple. He leverages his quick downhill speed to be a total engine on offense. We’re talking high-volume pick-and-roll action, with 32.5% of his possessions involving a ball screen. Those numbers are right up there with league leaders like Luka (34.7%) and Reaves (35.1%), which tells you everything about his impact. Opposing screen defenders slip up, even for a second, and Sexton uses that elite first step to exploit it. Watch him in semi-transition, spotting a big in the wrong defensive position, a quick crossover, and he’s at the rim for the finish. He shows incredible patience at the top of the key too. He’s got Cason Wallace, one of the best point-of-attack guards, on him, but Sexton methodically puts him in jail, uses a Gortat screen, and finishes an and-one. Plus, he’s got all the passes an on-ball guard needs, reading skip passes beautifully. And get this: he’s a positive lob pairing with L.A.’s biggest add, Walker Kessler, because those two played three seasons together!
This kind of playmaking and scoring off the bench is exactly what the Lakers needed. With Sexton ready to attack, it’s clear the front office is serious about bolstering this squad. Look forward to seeing him unleash that downhill speed and connect with Kessler, because this team just got a whole lot more exciting as the regular season heats up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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