The Los Angeles Lakers signed veteran guard Collin Sexton on a two-year contract worth around $19 million in free agency. They signed him using the room mid-level exception, meaning he was their final major addition in the flurry of signings that came on July 1. Sexton figures to be the backup point guard to both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Sexton, 27, has developed a reputation over his first eight years in the NBA as a score-first guard who plays extremely hard and shoots efficiently. Despite his high motor and effort, he has a negative defensive box plus minus for his career and his defensive win shares are less than 20% of his offensive win shares. However, he is hoping to emulate two defensive-minded guards that have had success for the Lakers over the years in Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley.
“I would say so. I watched a lot of the playoffs, I watched a lot of (Smart) over the years, but also I would just say his mindset,” Sexton said in his first media availability. “How can I be in the right spot? How can I make plays? Like you said, I’m always scoring, but how can I make plays on the defensive end? How can I get the one more or the hockey assist? Those little things.
“And also, I watched a little bit of Avery Bradley as well. How he was able to change the pace on defense, and that was a while ago. But just watching him and his competitive nature, that’s my guy, so I was like you know what? How did he impact winning when he was here? And I feel like those two guys, I’ve been able to really lock in on because I feel like I can bring that to this team.”
Sexton turning into a Smart or a Bradley for the 2026-27 Lakers would be surprising, as he has not yet exhibited the skillsets of either player up to this point in his career. However, there is no shortage of effort in Sexton’s game, and he always gives 100% to every moment on and off the court for his team. If he believes he can play that role, and the Lakers are asking that of him, he might just have the drive to achieve it.
That would massively benefit the Lakers, too, as point of attack defense is arguably their biggest weakness heading into the season. Having even one player that can sufficiently serve in that role would be a game-changer for L.A.
Collin Sexton jokes about LeBron James trend
Sexton signing with the Lakers in 2026 marks the second time in his eight-year career that he has joined a team right as LeBron James is leaving. Sexton noticed the trend and joked about how James is always leaving as he arrives.
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