TITLE: Collin Sexton Sees His Versatility Elevating Luka Doncic and Lakers Bench
SLUG: collin-sexton-sees-his-versatility-elevating-luka-doncic-and-lakers-bench
CONTENT:
The Los Angeles Lakers believe newly signed guard Collin Sexton can transform one of the NBA’s least productive benches, and the fifth-year guard says his skill set should also make life easier for superstar Luka Doncic.
Speaking with reporters during a recent media session, Sexton praised Doncic’s floor leadership and outlined how additional offensive threats can stretch opposing defenses.
“Luka is a tremendous player,” Sexton said. “He can think the game two or three steps ahead, and being on his team you just feed off him. Whatever he needs from us—energy, playmaking, shooting—we have to provide it.”
The 25-year-old guard noted that surrounding Doncic with multiple creators forces opponents to defend the Mavericks star straight up late in games. “When the fourth quarter comes you might have to guard him one-on-one, and that’s when he picks you apart,” Sexton added.
Sexton thrived in a reserve role last season, averaging better than 39 percent from three-point range for the fourth consecutive year. The Lakers expect him to switch seamlessly between primary ball-handler and off-ball marksman alongside Doncic, Austin Reaves and Quentin Grimes.
While his reputation centers on scoring, Sexton said he aims to raise his defensive profile in Los Angeles by modeling his approach after former Lakers guards Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley.
Sexton’s combination of efficient shooting and secondary playmaking is projected to anchor a bench unit that ranked near the bottom of the league a season ago. With expanded spacing and additional creators, the Lakers hope Doncic will face fewer double-teams and enjoy cleaner looks in late-game situations.
Source: LakersNation.com
