Basketball - NBA - Los Angeles Lakers visit to Ljubljana - Ljubljana, Slovenia - August 23, 2026 Los Angeles Lakers' Collin Sexton REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic
Borut Zivulovic
Collin Sexton could very well be the player the Los Angeles Lakers were looking for to fill in their backcourt in recent times. After parting ways with franchise icon LeBron James during the offseason, the Lakers could utilize their latest signing.
During his interview with ESPN, Sexton discussed his experience with the team so far.
“It's been amazing,” he said. “Everyone's just pretty much open and welcoming, and it's been good to talk to the coaches, talk to the players. It's a whole bunch of new faces, so we're all learning each and every day together.”
Collin Sexton speaks on his new team and what drew him to the Lakers early into free agency
“It’s been amazing. Everyone’s just pretty much open and welcoming, and it’s been good to talk to the coaches, talk to the players. It’s a whole bunch of new faces, so we’re all learning… pic.twitter.com/WZ3rVETzYQ
— MAL (@MindOfBron) September 4, 2026
He also outlined the key reasons he joined the Lakers during the conversation.
“I would say just opportunity to win, being on big stage and being in the situation where I can try to come in and impact winning. I feel like I’ve been on different teams where it’s just been a lot tougher. Of course, the want to win, it’s always been there. But it’s definitely tough to win in the NBA. It’s a hard thing and each and every night we’re playing against the best of the best. So I think just being on this stage and being able to impact winning each and every day, and what I bring to the team and bring to the game. I feel like I just fit right in,” Sexton added.
The Lakers signed the 6-foot-3 guard on a two-year, $19 million contract in July. It also includes a player option in the second season. Drafted eighth overall in 2018 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sexton spent his first four seasons with the Cavs. He went on to have an NBA All-Rookie Second Team nod in 2019.
He was later traded to the Utah Jazz in 2022. The deal also included Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three future first-round picks, and two future pick swaps. The same trade sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers.
He then had two short stints at the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls before arriving in LA. Now with the Lakers, he would be a perfect third option alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Sexton will shoulder ball-handling duties to keep pressure off other key players.