The Los Angeles Lakers have finally gotten active, making four signings and addressing some major needs as they move forward into a Luka Doncic-centric timeline.
While it may have been an overpay, Rob Pelinka made sure to check the team's need for a center off with a sign-and-trade for Walker Kessler. He also brought in both Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes to boost LA’s attack from the perimeter, which was an area they struggled immensely in last season. The fourth signing was Collin Sexton on a two-year, $19 million deal, which was an unnecessary move and a waste of the Lakers' remaining financial flexibility.
I’ll start by saying that, in no way, do I think Sexton is a poor player or can’t impact winning, because I truly believe he is one of the league's best backup point guards. The issue is that when you have two elite ball handlers and guards in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, paying that price for a backup isn’t necessary.
All LA needs from the backup spot is a good 10-15 minutes, and entering his third year, Bronny James could have offered them exactly that at a fraction of the price.
Collin Sexton wasn't needed
It was one thing last season when Pelinka brought in Marcus Smart because he is elite defensively and could be played in three guard lineups alongside AR and Luka. Sexton can’t. Also worth noting that Smart was on a cheaper deal with LA last season than the one they just brought Sexton in on today.
To many, Bronny James will always be under a microscope because of who his dad is and everything that went into his being drafted by the Lakers in 2023. But those same people who want to critique every little thing he does also need to give him praise for the growth he showed during his sophomore season.
He’s always had the physical traits like speed, strength, and athleticism to be an impactful NBA player. But last season, you could see growth in his processing ability, and his overall basketball skills improved significantly.
In his final eight games of the regular season, Bronny averaged 6.1 points and shot 34.6 percent from three in 17 minutes per game. Sure, that sounds incredibly mid compared to Sexton’s 15.4 points per game average from last season. But context matters, as Sexton was seeing 26 minutes per game.
Where on this team, between Luka and AR, are there minutes for another guard to play 25+ minutes per game? By my calculation, nowhere, especially come playoff time.
Also, going back to the defensive side of the ball, Bronny is a capable enough defender to be flexed into three-guard lineups at times with AR and Luka.
The Lakers just unloaded the war chest for Walker Kessler, so being able to develop and retain young talent is that much more important, and this Sexton signing hinders their ability to do that. Rob Pelinka had a golden opportunity to let JJ Redick continue to mold and give Bronny James the reps he needs to become an elite change-of-pace guard. Instead, he’ll likely spend the majority of his season watching from the sidelines and seeing his development tank.
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