New Lakers Trade Target Emerges as Draft Approaches

A new potential trade option has been revealed for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Apr 28, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka looks on prior to game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka looks on prior to game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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It's going to be a jam-packed offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers and their eager fanbase. The first domino fell when they hired J.J. Redick to be the head coach.

With a new lead man in charge, the attention now goes to building a championship-contending roster. It's likely that LeBron James will re-sign with Los Angeles and the objective needs to be surrounding quality role players around him and Anthony Davis.

It's extremely likely that D'Angelo Russell will be leaving town this summer and the Lakers are expected to be active on the trade market.

They were linked to Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray during the trade deadline but now a surprise trade option has been revealed.

Lakers News: Los Angeles Has Interest in a 25-year-Old Guard

According to ESPN Draft analyst Jonathan Givony, the Lakers have an interest in Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton.

"The Lakers likely will explore the trade market to see what type of veterans they can add to give LeBron James, Anthony Davis and new coach J.J. Redick the best chance of competing this season, with NBA names such as Dejounte Murray and Collin Sexton being batted around by rival teams as possible targets."

Jonathan Givony

The Lakers would have to include the No. 17 overall pick in a package for Sexton but that would be worth it.

Sexton is on a four-year, $72 million deal he signed back in 2022 after being dealt to the Jazz. He will now make $18.3 million next season before making $19.1 million during the 2025-26 season.

That isn't a hefty price tag for a 25-year-old combo guard. Sexton is a high-energy shot creator who can get a bucket from all three levels on the floor. The Alabama product does a great job creating his own shot but can find ways to get his teammates involved.

In his career, he averages 18.9 points and 3.6 assists per game. He also shoots 46.9% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point land.

The 2018 first-round pick could be an enticing option for the Lakers and would be an upgrade over D'Angelo Russell on both ends of the floor.

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