Collin Sexton aims to mirror Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley on Lakers
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The Los Angeles Lakers have signed veteran guard Collin Sexton to a two-year contract worth roughly $19 million, using the room mid-level exception to finalize their free-agency additions on July 1.
Sexton, 27, is expected to serve as the primary reserve behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Known during his eight NBA seasons as an energetic, score-first guard with efficient shooting numbers, the former Chicago Bulls backcourt player owns a career defensive box plus-minus below zero and defensive win shares that are less than one-fifth of his offensive total.
During his first media availability, Sexton said he plans to study two former Lakers defenders in hopes of expanding his role. “I watched a lot of Marcus Smart over the years,” he said. “How can I be in the right spot? How can I make plays on the defensive end? … I also watched Avery Bradley and how he changed the pace on defense. How did he impact winning when he was here?” Sexton added that he believes those examples can translate to the current roster.
The Lakers enter the 2026-27 season seeking stronger point-of-attack defense, an area team officials have identified as a weakness. Sexton’s commitment to adopting Smart’s and Bradley’s defensive approaches could address that need if successfully implemented.
Sexton also noted that joining Los Angeles marks the second occasion in his career where he has arrived just as LeBron James has departed, joking about the coincidence during the session with reporters.
Source: LakersNation.com
