LA's bench was a straight-up problem last season, dropping a miserable 29.3 points per game in the regular season, ranking them second-worst in the whole darn NBA. And you thought the regular season was rough? Things only got tougher in the playoffs, with backups scoring just 21.6 points per game, putting them in the bottom four of the postseason. So, no surprise the Lakers wasted no time, officially landing Collin Sexton on Sunday to light a fire under that second unit for the coming season.
This Guy Doesn't Just Score, He Attacks
Sexton isn't just a name, he's a proven bucket-getter who can change a game. Last year, playing off the bench for both the Hornets and the Bulls, he averaged a solid 15.4 points per game, shooting an impressive 48.5% from the field and a blistering 40.1% from beyond the arc. The hope, obviously, is he brings that same firepower to the Lakers. What really sets Sexton apart is that explosive first-step burst. He can take anyone off the dribble, and thanks to his insane agility, he twists and contorts his body around the basket to score in the paint even against the league's most physical defenders. It’s pure electricity when he gets downhill.The Stats Show Sexton Is THE Missing Piece
In a league that’s getting more and more about quick catch-and-shoot opportunities, Sexton brings that vital balance of old-school grit and new-school efficiency. He had 183 catch-and-shoot attempts last year, converting 43.7% of them. To put that in perspective for Lakers fans, those numbers would have put him fourth-highest in catch-and-shoot attempts on the team, and his percentage would have been second-best among players who took at least 150 such shots. But here's where it gets wild: Sexton attacked the rim with a whopping 204 attempts, making 64.7% of those baskets. Seriously, the only guard on the Lakers who had more attempts at the rim last year was Luka Dončić, who clocked in at 255. Compare that to Luke Kennard with just 59 rim shots or Marcus Smart with 61. Nobody on that bench backcourt was getting to the rim like Sexton can. He took 232 field-goal attempts with zero dribbles, but also put up 194 shots on 3-6 dribbles (his most efficient at 50.5%) and even 150 with seven-plus dribbles. This guy is comfortable with the ball, which means he's a fantastic option to run the offense behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Plus, if one of those guys is ever out, Sexton can absolutely slide right into the starting lineup. He's not just a scorer, either, dropping 3.3 assists per game last season. If he replicates those scoring and assist numbers, he'd be the best backup guard they've had since Dennis Schrö. This ain't just a scoring boost, folks. Sexton's comfort with the ball means he can run the offense when Dončić or Reaves need a breather. His 3.3 assists per game last year show he's not just looking for his own. The Lakers kick off their season soon, and all eyes will be on that bench to see if Sexton truly is the spark they need to turn last year's biggest weakness into a real strength.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.