Luka Dončić graced the stage at the 2018 NBA Draft as the third overall selection to the Dallas Mavericks. Then, just five picks later, Collin Sexton walked up the stairs after getting drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Fast forward eight years, and the pair find themselves as teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers. But what is the perfect role for Sexton to maximize his new opportunity?
Sexton Must Prove He Can Contribute to Winning Basketball
Sexton’s track record doesn’t inspire confidence quite yet.
Across seven seasons, he’s accumulated an overall record of 155 wins and 320 losses. Of course, it’s not entirely his fault. All of his destinations have been rebuilding franchises, so perhaps landing in L.A. will give him new life.
Seeing how he performed with the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets last season, Sexton could make a new home for himself if he can provide some consistency. Above all, he gives Los Angeles a reliable backup combo guard when Dončić or Austin Reaves is on the bench, as they finished 2025-2026 ranked 29th in bench points.
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Sexton’s Scoring Gives the Lakers a Bench Spark They Lacked
Sexton improved his ability to shot-create while also mastering the art of shooting over taller opponents. It will allow him to take over the second unit since he’ll be the primary ball handler off the bench.
Once Sexton gets going downhill, he is extremely difficult to stop. He oftentimes uses his aggression as a ticket to the free-throw line, which is where a large sum of his points come from. As an 84% career free-throw shooter, it’s hard to completely shut him down offensively. His frenetic playstyle generates a natural defensive gravity.
Defenders will have to pick their poison: defend Sexton one-on-one in isolation or double-team him and leave a shooter like Cameron Carr wide open. The Lakers didn’t have this optionality with Marcus Smart last season since Sexton is a better scorer.
Sexton is also one of the better guards in the league when in transition, and the Lakers need this desperately. They ranked 16th in fast-break points last year.
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Having more versatility will help them against powerhouses like the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, so Sexton’s impact is crucial for the future.
Sexton’s Defense Will Determine His Long-Term Fit
A good performance will likely result in an extension, given how much they need a solidified backup point guard. Sexton signed a two-year deal. The first season allows the front office to evaluate his fit alongside Dončić. The second year is a player option, giving Sexton the flexibility to test free agency if he has a strong season.
The primary concern with Sexton is his defense. He is a reliable defender against other guards, but if he plays as the shooting guard, he’s bound to defend someone numerous inches taller than him. Every small guard is subjected to mismatches, and Sexton is no different.
It’s something to be wary of since the Lakers lack size in their backcourt rotation. Regardless, Sexton will try his best on defense as he always does. In a recent media scrum, he expressed his motivations and revealed why he wanted to wear the purple and gold.
If Sexton can bring his scoring punch without becoming a defensive liability, the Lakers may have finally found the bench piece they’ve been missing.
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