Collin Sexton has noticed an unusual pattern in his NBA journey: he keeps showing up when LeBron James decides to move on. Speaking at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on July 14, 2026, the new Los Angeles Lakers guard laughed about becoming James’s de-facto replacement for a second time.
“He’s just leaving every time I arrive,” Sexton said, smiling after a Lakers practice session at the Thomas & Mack Center. The 25-year-old signed a two-year contract with Los Angeles this month using the room mid-level exception. He will serve as the primary backup ball-handler behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Same Story, Different Franchise
The coincidence dates back to 2018. Cleveland selected Sexton with the eighth overall pick in that year’s draft, only to watch James opt for the Lakers days later. Eight seasons later, history repeated itself: Sexton came to Los Angeles just as James chose to finish his career elsewhere.
James’s departure ends an eight-year tenure that began ahead of the 2018-19 season and delivered one championship. Lakers executives targeted Sexton in free agency to fortify backcourt depth after deciding to reshape the roster without the four-time MVP.
Early Chemistry With Walker Kessler
Sexton also highlighted his familiarity with new starting center Walker Kessler, a former teammate on the Utah Jazz. “His mindset stands out,” Sexton said. “He’s competitive every night, and we’ve built a strong relationship over the past four or five years. Even in yesterday’s three-on-three, we were locked in.” Both players are Atlanta natives and believe their chemistry can accelerate the Lakers’ adjustment period.
The Lakers continue Summer League play this week while finalizing preparations for training camp, where Sexton will step into a reserve role the franchise hopes can soften the blow of James’s exit.
Source: Lakers Nation
