Los Angeles Lakers: Should LA pursue Collin Sexton instead of Kyrie Irving?

The Los Angeles Lakers should make a run at restricted free agent Collin Sexton. 

Unfortunate things happen to good players and sometimes those things that happen beyond our control can call for change. Sometimes that change is for the better and sometimes it’s not but Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton could soon experience a change of scenery.

Sexton is currently a restricted free agent and had been the subject of trade rumors as he has drawn interest from more than a few teams. Sexton’s first three seasons in Cleveland showed promise as he has improved every single year he has been in the league.

After a stellar rookie campaign in which Sexton made the All-NBA Rookie Second Team and put up 16.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and three assists per game, the Cavs drafted Darius Garland in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft as a top 5 pick with the vision of them creating one of the youngest and most dominating backcourts in the NBA.

In their first year together in the Cavs backcourt, they averaged a combined 27 points per game. During their second season together the duo averaged right at 30 points per contest as they developed chemistry while making individual strides.

Going into the third year with Garland and Sexton in the starting backcourt, the Cavs were poised to take the next step as a team as the dynamic duo was expected to become the driving force behind the team but then the unfortunate happened.

Just 11 games into their third season together Sexton tore the meniscus in his left knee and was forced to sit for the rest of the season. With Sexton sidelined, Garland had a breakout season and was selected to his first of probably many NBA All-Star selections.

The Cavs also advanced to the play-in tournament and it was the first time the Cavs qualified for the postseason since the last time they lost in the Finals back in 2018. With Garland having the type of season he just had, the Cavs may view Sexton as expendable and that they can be successful without him considering the other young talent they have on their roster.

Especially now since the Cavs signed Ricky Rubio and have given Garland a five-year rookie max extension worth up to $231 million. The team that should be in full pursuit of Sexton and his services is the Los Angeles Lakers.

Everyone knows that the Lakers are big on superstar players, and while Sexton hasn’t quite reached that status yet, it makes sense for the Lakers to make a move for him. A sign and trade could be difficult for the teams to pull off unless the Lakers could convince the Cavs to take up Russell Westbrook’s salary as part of the deal which would free up cap space for the Lakers in order to sign Sexton for the long term and secure other free agents.

If the Lakers can acquire Sexton, he would offer a much-needed injection of youth as the organization could groom him to eventually become the face of the franchise. Yes, Sexton does have that kind of potential and would benefit from playing and training with LeBron James every day.

He is a team-oriented player with an aggressive edge and plays with a tenacity to go along with his fierce competitiveness. The Lakers should focus on signing Sexton instead of trying to make headlines with a splashy signing. It would be good for the Lakers in both the long and short term.