The Lakers made a series of moves to rework their roster in early July, including the addition of Collin Sexton in free agency. In an interview with ESPN LA (Twitter video link), Sexton explains why he chose to come to Los Angeles.
“I would say just opportunity to win, being on big stage and being in the situation where I can try to come in and impact winning,” he told the hosts. “I feel like I’ve been on different teams where it’s just been a lot tougher. Of course, the want to win, it’s always been there. But it’s definitely tough to win in the NBA. It’s a hard thing and each and every night we’re playing against the best of the best. So I think just being on this stage and being able to impact winning each and every day, and what I bring to the team and bring to the game. I feel like I just fit right in.”
Sexton is hoping for a chance to show what he can do in the playoffs after spending most of his career with losing teams. He was traded from Utah to Charlotte last offseason and then shipped to Chicago at the February deadline. He was productive during his time with the tanking Bulls, averaging 17.5 PPG in 26 games while shooting 48.2% from the field and 41% from three-point range.
L.A. gave him a two-year, $19MM contract with a player option for the second season, so there’s a chance he could be a free agent again next summer. However, Sexton is hoping for a more permanent home as he joins his fifth team in nine NBA seasons.
Sexton also talked about reuniting with former Jazz teammate Walker Kessler, who was acquired as part of the roster shakeup in July. The Lakers are counting on Kessler to become a defensive anchor in the middle as well as a lob threat for Luka Doncic, and Sexton believes he’s perfect for the role.
“He’s gonna have a huge impact, especially on the defensive end,” Sexton said. “His presence, his rim protection, and even the offensive ability that he’s been working on this summer. … I’m super excited for him and the opportunity. He’s one of my guys; he’s from Atlanta, so whenever I’ve been talking to him, I told him, ‘I got your back,’ and next thing you know, we’re here. Working on the three-point shot, but also just finishing around the rim even better, so it’s cool. It’s cool to see that he used that break when he wasn’t playing all last season to really work on his game and develop it. So I’m super excited for him and his growth, and I can’t wait to be back on the court with him.”
In addition, Sexton discussed the team’s trip to Slovenia last month to work out with Doncic and start building chemistry among all the new players. He said it was exciting to see that part of the world, and it was a reflection of Doncic’s leadership skills.
“I would say it was one of those trips where it was more like team-building for us,” Sexton said. “It was for us to gel and work out, not just in the States, but away. And also just the culture, for Luka to do that, it just shows a true leader, and that’s the role that he wants to fall into this season and be the one to lead us.”
