Reason for: Collin Sexton’s age
There are multiple reasons why Collin Sexton being as young as he is would be extremely beneficial for the Los Angeles Lakers. In fact, it is easily the biggest reason why the Lakers should potentially pursue him this offseason.
The first reason is that he will only get better. Sexton has only played in this league for three seasons and is only 22 years old. He is not going to get worse from the level he is currently at. He has future all-star potential and he has not even begun to scratch the surface of that.
The other reason is the flexibility it gives the Lakers moving forward. Outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers really go not have any core pieces to build around for the coming years. Sexton provides just that.
He could not only come on as a youngster for next season but be part of the Lakers for multiple contracts. Perhaps he can blossom into the second star that contends with Anthony Davis. Either way, the Lakers at least give themselves an option in that regard.
Sure, they have Talen Horton-Tucker who nobody will say is bad, but THT has not shown the same star potential that Sexton has shown.
And even if Sexton is not in the long-term plans he can still allow the Lakers to pivot. If he continues to develop in the league and there is a team that wants to take him on a max deal the Lakers can leverage that.
Rob Pelinka could flip him in a sign-and-trade when he is a restricted free agent for a free agent start, similar to the Kevin Durant-D’Angelo Russell sign-and-trade that allowed both parties to get something out of a situation that they otherwise would have gotten nothing.
Heck, even if it is not a sign-and-trade, Sexton is talented and young enough where he could be flipped for a star in the future if he raises his value. Right now he is not worth a star, hence why the Lakers can theoretically trade for him, but that potential is there.