Collin Sexton has found himself on the wrong side of LeBron James’ timing twice now, and he knows it.
When James was set to leave the Los Angeles Lakers through free agency this offseason, Sexton had a familiar reaction. The guard, who was just arriving in Los Angeles after signing as a free agent, was reminded of the same kind of overlap that marked the start of his NBA career.
Sexton was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, and the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him in the same offseason James departed to sign with the Lakers. Now, years later, Sexton is again in a spot where James is on his way out as he comes in.
Speaking publicly for the first time since joining the Lakers, Sexton said he would have liked the chance to share the floor with James, according to Khobi Price of The California Post.
“He’s just leaving every time I arrive,” Sexton joked. “One of the other coaches made the same joke yesterday … I’ve always wanted to team up with him for sure, but it’s definitely cool knowing him.”
With James gone, Sexton is part of a Lakers overhaul that also brought in Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Jaden Hardy. The moves came after Los Angeles fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Sexton arrives after splitting last season between the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls. In 68 total games, with 22 starts, he gave those teams instant scoring off the bench, and that same role is likely waiting for him with the Lakers.
In Other News...
Lakers Duo Sent Fans A Strange Signal In Uncertain Offseason
The Lakers have spent the summer reshaping the roster around a flurry of moves, adding Walker Kessler and signing Colin Sexton, Quentin Grimes and Austin Reaves while also exploring more changes on the margins. Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt have been part of the conversation, with both names surfacing in trade talk as the front office keeps working through options and no deal has come together yet.
Still, the sight of both players at Summer League in Las Vegas offered a curious backdrop to all that uncertainty. For a team that may be trying to clear more room for another move, their presence around the action only added to the sense that the Lakers are not done navigating this offseason, and that the next step could involve a familiar pairing if the right trade materializes. [Read more 🡒]
JJ Redicks Message To Adou Thiero Says A Lot About Lakers Plans
Adou Thiero has already done enough in Summer League to get the Lakers attention, and not just because of the numbers. The rookie has stood out with his defensive activity and athleticism, showing the kind of disruptive presence Los Angeles can use on the wing, while also putting up a productive scoring line in Las Vegas.
What makes his early run more interesting is the direction JJ Redick is pushing him in. The Lakers coach has made it clear that Thieros value starts with becoming a defensive pest, a role that fits the way the team wants to build out its depth if his summer form carries over into camp and preseason. He has yet to connect from deep, but the bigger question for Los Angeles is whether this is the start of a longer path into Redicks plans. [Read more 🡒]