3 stars the Lakers could realistically acquire this offseason
By John Buhler
156. Pick Analysis. PG. 2. Scouting Report. Cleveland Cavaliers. Collin Sexton. player
Collin Sexton should be available, but can he hang with LeBron James in L.A.?
One player who will be readily available this summer is Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton. Cleveland has the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and could look to draft his replacement. The idea is Cleveland is going to side with his backcourt mate Darius Garland because he is one year younger than him. The Cavaliers also need to pay center Jarrett Allen who they just traded for.
2021-22 will be Sexton’s fourth year in the league out of Alabama. We know that he can put up points playing relatively anonymous basketball in the Eastern Conference for Cleveland, but we really need to ask ourselves if he can be the upgrade at point guard the Lakers are seeking, assuming they do move off Dennis Schröder this summer? This what makes this move so curious.
There is going to be an absurd amount of pressure on the Lakers next season. This is their last best chance of winning an NBA Finals with a team centered around James. Davis’ runway is obviously longer, but he has never proven to be the No. 1 player on an NBA team with any real championship aspirations. If Sexton can come in and make a huge difference, it will be worth it.
The Lakers have the trade assets to deal for Sexton, but this is a high-risk, high-reward trade.