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The Los Angeles Lakers were next-to-last this past season in bench scoring, and they had no one, other than perhaps Rui Hachimura, who could consistently get buckets off their bench. When Hachimura, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes left in free agency, the Lakers’ need for scoring from their reserves only grew stronger.
That is presumably why they pursued guard Collin Sexton in free agency. They got him to agree to a two-year, $19 million contract with a player option in the second year, and as of Sunday, the signing is official. He will wear jersey No. 10 for the Lakers.
While Sexton, who is 6-foot-3, is regarded as a poor defender, especially against bigger guards, he also has a reputation for being a high-motor and ultra-competitive player. He can not only be an instant offense man off the bench and assume ball-handling and facilitating duties, but he is also very speedy and athletic and can create pace and fast-break opportunities.
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Many Lakers fans are bearish about his addition, but he fills multiple clear needs and has the ability to be a key member of coach JJ Redick’s rotation.
Sexton averaged 15.4 points and 3.3 assists in 23.7 minutes a game while shooting 48.5% from the field and 40.1% from 3-point range this past season. He is 27 years of age and has played eight years in the NBA after he was the No. 8 pick in the 2018 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers have officially signed guard Collin Sexton
