LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers have never been short on star power, but building a championship-caliber roster requires more than just elite talent at the top of the rotation. It takes players who embrace their roles, bring energy when their number is called, and provide a different dimension to the team's identity.
That is exactly what the Lakers hope to get from Collin Sexton.
After signing a two-year, $19.2 million contract this past summer, Sexton arrived in Los Angeles as an important addition to the team's second unit, expected to provide scoring, toughness, and another reliable ball handler behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
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Nov 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts with guard Collin Sexton (10) against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Crypto.com Arena.
Seven games into his Lakers tenure, Sexton is still finding his rhythm in a new environment. However, there have already been glimpses of what he can bring to a roster loaded with star talent.
Sunday night provided another example.
Sexton finished with 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists in 19 minutes, shooting an efficient 6-of-10 from the field as the Lakers secured their fifth victory of the season, defeating the Raptors 131-125 to improve to 5-2.
His ability to make an impact without needing an abundance of minutes is something the Lakers will need throughout a long regular season, particularly with the expectations surrounding this group.
Through seven games, Sexton is averaging 8.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 26.9% from beyond the arc. Although his three-point shooting has yet to find consistency, his scoring instincts and aggressive approach remain evident.
Earlier in the week, Sexton delivered perhaps his most impressive performance in a Lakers uniform, erupting for 21 points in just 21 minutes off the bench against the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Oct 28, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton (10) reacts after a basket in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome.
That performance offered a reminder of the offensive firepower he can provide when he gets into a rhythm. Sexton has always been a player capable of putting pressure on opposing defenses, particularly with his ability to attack the basket, create his own shot, and play with an unmistakable level of aggression.
For a Lakers team that will depend heavily on Dončić and Reaves to generate offense, having another guard capable of creating opportunities independently could prove extremely valuable.
From Alabama standout to NBA veteran
Sexton's journey to Los Angeles has been anything but ordinary.
Now in his 10th NBA season and playing for his fifth franchise, Sexton entered the league as one of the more highly regarded guards in his draft class.
Before becoming a professional, Sexton committed to play for head coach Avery Johnson at the University of Alabama, choosing the Crimson Tide as his destination for what would ultimately be a one-and-done college career.
His freshman season was impressive, averaging 19.2 points per game while establishing himself as one of the most explosive guards in college basketball.
Sexton's performance at Alabama helped solidify his standing as a top prospect heading into the 2018 NBA Draft.
The Cleveland Cavaliers ultimately selected him eighth overall, using the Brooklyn Nets' original first-round pick that Cleveland had acquired in the blockbuster August 2017 trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics.
Cleveland believed it had found an important piece for its future, and Sexton quickly demonstrated his scoring ability during his first four seasons with the organization.
However, the NBA is a business, and Sexton's time in Cleveland eventually came to an end.
When the Cavaliers became involved in the pursuit of Donovan Mitchell during the summer of 2022, Sexton became part of the transaction that sent him to the Utah Jazz.
Coming off a torn meniscus that limited him to just 11 games during the 2021-22 campaign, Sexton entered restricted free agency with an uncertain future. The trade required a sign-and-trade agreement, with Sexton agreeing to a new four-year, $72 million contract with Utah.
It represented an opportunity for a fresh start and another chance to establish himself as a long-term contributor.
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Apr 3, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton (2) at Madison Square Garden.
After three seasons with the Jazz, Sexton's career took another unexpected turn. He was traded twice in just a couple of eight months, moving from Utah to Charlotte before eventually landing in Chicago.
What once appeared to be a potential foundational role in Charlotte quickly turned into another transition as Sexton found himself in a rebuilding situation with the Bulls.
Eventually reaching free agency, Sexton found his next opportunity in Los Angeles.
Why the Young Bull mentality fits in Los Angeles
If there is one thing that has followed Sexton throughout his basketball career, it is his competitive nature.
His nickname, "The Young Bull," is more than just a catchy nickname. It represents the way he has approached the game since childhood.
Growing up in Georgia, Sexton developed a reputation for attacking defenders without hesitation, regardless of their size or reputation. He would put his head down, charge toward the basket, and embrace whatever contact came his way.
The nickname stuck through his AAU days, college basketball, and eventually the NBA.
That same mentality is what makes Sexton an intriguing addition to the Lakers.
His relentless approach, willingness to attack the paint, and refusal to back down from physical matchups gives the Lakers a different kind of energy off the bench.
His new teammates and coaching staff have praised the competitive fire he brings to the floor, and that mentality could become particularly important as the Lakers navigate the challenges of a demanding Western Conference schedule.
Sexton is not necessarily coming to Los Angeles to be another star. His value will come from understanding when to attack, when to facilitate, and how to make an impact alongside some of the best players in the league.
Defensively, the Lakers can also look to Sexton to bring a physical, aggressive presence. His willingness to compete and take on difficult assignments gives the coaching staff another guard to deploy against opposing perimeter threats.
While asking him to consistently shut down the opposition's best player may be a demanding responsibility, his intensity and competitive mindset give him the tools to embrace challenging defensive matchups.
A valuable piece of the Lakers' championship puzzle?
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Oct 28, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Collin Sexton (10) handles the ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome.
The first seven games have provided an early look at what Sexton could become in Los Angeles.
His season averages are not necessarily eye-popping, and his outside shooting will need to improve if he is going to maximize his offensive value alongside Doncic and Reaves.
However, his 21-point performance against the Clippers demonstrated that he can provide an immediate scoring spark when the opportunity presents itself.
Sunday's 14-point performance was another encouraging sign, particularly considering he accomplished it in just 19 minutes.
For the Lakers, consistency will be the next step.
Sexton does not need to average 20 points every night to justify his place in the rotation. What the Lakers need is a player who can change the pace of a game, put pressure on the rim, defend with energy, and provide dependable production whenever the starters need a breather.
That is the role Sexton appears positioned to fill.
At 10 years into his NBA career, he brings experience from multiple organizations, an established scoring identity, and the hunger of a player who has experienced several changes in his professional journey.
Now, he has an opportunity to settle into a meaningful role with a franchise that expects to compete at the highest level.
The Lakers improved to 5-2 following Sunday's 131-125 victory and will have little time to celebrate, as they prepare to host the Miami Heat on Monday night in the second game of a back-to-back.
As the season progresses, Sexton's role will be worth monitoring. His minutes, shooting efficiency, defensive assignments, and ability to complement the Lakers' star players will help determine just how important he becomes to this team's success.
The Lakers know what they have in Dončić and Reaves. What they are beginning to discover is just how much another relentless scorer can add to the equation.
The Young Bull has a new home in Los Angeles. If his early flashes are any indication, the Lakers may have found exactly the type of competitive spark their second unit needs.