What is the first thing you think of when the name Collin Sexton is brought up? Perhaps visions of a tenacious guard who plays with relentless energy on the court come to mind. One thing that cannot be associated with the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers is winning.
Sexton wants to change that. During an appearance for Mason & Ireland, the new Lakers guard was asked what drew him to the opportunity in Los Angeles. Given what has already been said, the answer should surprise absolutely no one.
"I would say just opportunity to win, being on the big stage, and being in the situation where I can try to come in and impact winning. ... It's definitely tough to win in the NBA."
Sexton understands that last part as well as anybody. The veteran guard ranks third among active players in career games played without making an appearance in the NBA Playoffs. The Lakers can help him buck that trend, but he needs to do his part.
Collin Sexton's desire to win is understandable after years of NBA misery
Eight NBA years without playoff basketball is how Sexton has started his time in the league. It has been a brutal journey.
Sexton spent four years with the rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers to start his NBA career. Right as it looked like the Cavs were about to turn the corner, the former lottery pick ended up being a part of the deal that brought Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz to Cleveland.
That much was more than fair on the Cavaliers' part. Who would not include a solid young guard in the trade package to bring in an established star like Mitchell?
Even so, that put Sexton back in the loop of being subjugated to losing basketball. The Jazz were entering a rebuild with zero desire to rack up wins. That brought on three more years of losing for the now 27-year-old.
Sexton was traded from the Jazz to the Charlotte Hornets before the 2025-26 season. Similarly to his Cavaliers situation, right before the Hornets looked poised to potentially turn the corner, they traded him. The rest of his 2025-26 campaign finished with the tanking Chicago Bulls.
After all that, can you blame a guy for wanting a chance at postseason basketball? Certainly not.
The Lakers had that opportunity ready and waiting. They also provided a solid payday at two years and $19.2 million. One would imagine it was a largely easy call to make for the eight-year veteran.
Add us as a preferred source on Google