Collin Sexton has played eight years in the NBA. Through no major fault of his own, the veteran guard has never touched the floor for a playoff game in the league. That should finally change in 2026-27, and that factor was a big reason why Sexton ended up picking the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency.
The new Lakers guard sat down with the media for the first time since signing earlier this week. The opportunity to play meaningful basketball was highlighted as a driving force in the decision-making process of selecting Los Angeles as his next destination.
"I feel like it was super important in finding a place where I can compete and not be at the crib in April right after the season ends. So, just having the opportunity to be a part of this organization and be a part of the team, I was super grateful and super thankful."
Sexton did add that JJ Redick's belief in him and his abilities helped guide him to Los Angeles as well. The 27-year-old wanted to bring his contagious energy to a team who will be looking to finally give him a taste of playoff basketball for the first time in his career.
Lakers will finally absolve Collin Sexton of making early vacation plans
Even with some of the big departures like LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, and others, the Lakers should still be penciled in as a playoff team for the upcoming season after a solid retool around Luka Doncic. Doncic's MVP-level play alone guarantees a safe floor for the 2026-27 campaign.
That should end the drought for Sexton. 2026-27 should be a big step in the career of someone who has worked hard to mold himself into the type of player who can help a winning team.
Sexton's career has included endless chapters of rebuilding teams.
The former lottery pick started his time in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Before he could sniff playoff basketball, Sexton was shipped off to the Utah Jazz as a part of the trade that landed Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland.
Every single season in Utah consisted of perpetual tanking. There was no opportunity for postseason basketball there.
Right when it looked like Sexton could get a chance to play meaningful hoops with a suddenly rejuvenated Charlotte Hornets squad in 2025-26, the vet was shipped off at the trade deadline to the rebuilding Chicago Bulls. In all fairness to him, the Hornets ended up missing the playoffs anyway.
It is understandable why Sexton would prioritize a winning situation after all of that. There are flaws to his game, but the well-traveled guard has the tools and mentality to help a team who wants to be playing the types of meaningful April, May, and June games that have eluded him.
Sexton should finally get the opportunity to prove that in 2026-27 with a Lakers team that is craving a deep postseason run.
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