The Los Angeles Lakers have a big challenge ahead of them this offseason. After missing the playoffs this past season, the Lakers need to reshape this roster to compete this upcoming season.
A new player has piqued the interest of the Lakers. That player is Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton. Sam Amico reported that the team is interested in bringing in the young guard.
Report: The Lakers have interest in Collin Sexton, via @AmicoHoops. pic.twitter.com/yw99Dl7bSc
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 9, 2022
Sexton is a talented guard that can score the rock at ease. Fans were ecstatic for the 24-year-old to play this season coming off his best season, where he averaged 24 points per game. However, Sexton only played 11 games after tearing his meniscus.
Even in those 11 games, Sexton struggled, averaging only 16 points per game on slightly worse shooting. Sexton comes with a risk after tearing his meniscus. We’ve seen plenty of players come back from those injuries and not look like the same player.
This could scare some GMs away and lead to the Lakers acquiring the young guard. This could also lead to Sexton not getting the money he is looking for and settling on a one-year prove-it deal similar to Malik Monk.
How much can the Los Angeles Lakers pay Collin Sexton?
The deal would likely be a non-taxpayer MLE worth $6.4 million. Unfortanlety, this would likely lead to the departure of Malik Monk.
Sexton would be a fantastic off-the-bench option for the Lakers. This would allow Sexton to be able to run the offense the way he wants to with the bench unit. This would allow him to continue growing and developing some other skills, like playmaking. If he were to start, he would be playing alongside three players (LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook) that demand the ball a lot.
The Cavaliers also may not want to re-sign Sexton after the emergence of Darius Garland. Both guards demand the ball, and with Garland looking like the franchise’s future right now, the Cavaliers may let Sexton go. The team has also already expressed interest in guard Ricky Rubio. Rubio coming back would be the final nail in the coffin for Sexton’s Cleveland days.
Though the Lakers have an interest in Sexton, it’s going to be a tough get. The Lakers have to field a full roster and don’t have much money to do it. Plus, one general manager could take a chance on the young guard based on his potential and scoring ability.