One of the marginal additions by the Los Angeles Lakers was to add Collin Sexton on a two-year deal via the room mid-level exception. He now serves as the primary backup ball-handler for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, essentially filling a spot partially left by the absence of LeBron James.
James is moving on from the Lakers after eight seasons with the team. He joined the Lakers ahead of the 2018-19 season, which was coincidentally Sexton’s first season in the NBA, with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sexton was asked about this being the second time he’s joining a team just as James is leaving and couldn’t help but laugh.
Collin Sexton couldn’t help but laugh about this being the second time he joined a team right as LeBron left.
“He’s just leaving every time I arrive. That’s what it is.” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/ZCYiovHKjE
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) July 14, 2026
This happening twice is purely coincidence, as it’s extremely unlikely that James is making decisions based on where Sexton is in the league. However, it is funny to see the same situation play out twice. The Cavaliers drafted Sexton with the No. 8 overall pick in 2018, just as James was heading to the Lakers as his time with the Cavaliers had simply run out.
A similar situation happened again here, as Sexton was an unrestricted free agent while the Lakers felt they had a need at backup point guard. Meanwhile, James was deciding it was time to close out his historic career with another franchise. Hopefully, all sides are happy with how this offseason panned out. Only time will tell if that’s the case.
Collin Sexton explains what makes Walker Kessler special
One of the other positives in the Lakers signing Sexton is that he has a previous relationship with new starting center Walker Kessler. The two played together on the Utah Jazz for multiple seasons, and he explained what he loves about the defensive-minded big man.
“I would say his mindset,” Sexton said when asked what will make Kessler a good fit with the Lakers. “I would say his mindset and being able to come in and give it his all each and every night. He’s one of those people that’s very competitive. I feel like the culture here is trying to bring good guys in who are ready to compete each and every night and give it their all.
“Me and Walker we have built a really good relationship over the past four or five years. Even when he was in school, he’s from Atlanta as well so our connection on the court is pretty cool. Even yesterday when we were doing the 3-on-3, we still locked in so it’s cool.”
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