Surprising development makes Collin Sexton perfect Lakers trade target

The Los Angeles Lakers haven't run from the fact that they're open to executing a trade if it gets them discernibly closer to a championship. It's a high standard to set, but with an elite starting lineup and invaluable familiarity between key players, it's an understandable requirement.

Thankfully for the Lakers, a potentially perfect fit has seemingly emerged on a team that has arguably undervalued them in 2024-25: Collin Sexton.

Despite his obvious talent, the early stages of the 2024-25 regular season seem to have revealed how little the Utah Jazz seem to value Sexton. He's played just 23.5 minutes per game through six appearances, and was suspiciously relegated to the bench in recent days.

The benching came on the heels of Sexton posting a season-high 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field.

Sexton has since returned to the starting lineup, but that was due entirely to the fact that Jordan Clarkson, who'd replaced him, missed the aforementioned game. There also appears to be a full-force commitment to the development of point guard Keyonte George.

If this signals Sexton's availability in trade discussions, then there may not be a better time than now for the Lakers to buy low on a potentially valuable commodity.

Collin Sexton falling out of favor in Jazz rotation opens door for Lakers

Sexton may be struggling to secure consistent playing time in 2024-25, but his talent is undeniable. In 2023-24, he averaged 18.7 points, 4.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made in just 26.6 minutes per game.

Those numbers translate to elite figures of 25.3 points, 6.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.2 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.

Compounded by his generally efficient play, including a slash line of .487/.394/.859, Sexton looked the part of a high-ceiling point guard. It was hardly breaking news, but a torn meniscus in 2021-22 pressed pause on his ascension just one season after he'd averaged 24.3 points per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

There are questions about how he'd fit on a winning team with an established hierarchy, but there's no shortage of talent to develop.

In terms of the logistics of a trade, Sexton is owed $18,350,000 for the 2024-25 season. If the Lakers are truly committed to moving on from D'Angelo Russell, then they could propose a potential swap of productive point guards with questions about their respective fits.

Russell's expiring contract could make him an attractive piece, as Sexton is owed an additional $19,175,000 next season before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026.

Most are hoping for Walker Kessler to be the Jazz player whom the Lakers acquire, but Sexton would be a quality acquisition in his own right. He could provide a sustainable answer at the point guard position and help Los Angeles avoid having to either re-sign or replace Russell next summer.

The Lakers are admittedly unlikely to pursue a trade this early in the season, but if there's a player worth taking a chance on in November, it's Sexton—before he rebuilds his trade value.