Collin Sexton believes the Los Angeles Lakers were missing energy and impact from their bench last season, and he sees that as an area where he can make a difference after joining the team this summer.
Sexton addressed his role during Lakers media day, explaining that his focus will not be limited to scoring. The guard wants to change the tempo and physicality of games whenever he enters.
“I think for me something that I see, the need of the team before signing here was the bench,” Sexton said. “I feel like being able to come in and have an impact of bringing energy, bringing juice…if the ball is going in, if the refs aren’t calling fouls, bringing that juice and being able to switch the game up a little bit, and not just scoring it, but, like, being more hectic, being more physical and things like that.”
Sexton added that he wants to establish a presence immediately rather than gradually work his way into games.
“The bench aspect and coming in and having a presence,” Sexton said. “I feel like I always tell myself, whenever you get on the highway, you don’t just creep into the game or into traffic. You drive right into it. So I feel like when I get in the game oh it’s time to go.”
That approach could give Sexton a defined role on a Lakers roster that has undergone significant changes since last season. Los Angeles lost LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard and Deandre Ayton during the offseason while adding Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Walker Kessler, Kevon Looney, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams among others.
The Lakers had several productive individual scorers last season, led by Luka Doncic, who averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists in 64 games. Austin Reaves averaged 23.3 points and 5.5 assists in 51 games, while James posted 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists across 60 appearances.
Sexton averaged 15.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 68 games split between the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls last season. He shot 48.5% from the field, 40.1% from three-point range and 85.5% from the free-throw line.
The 27-year-old has averaged 18.3 points, 3.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds over eight NBA seasons. His career-best scoring season came in 2020-21, when he averaged 24.3 points and 4.4 assists for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sexton made clear that his mindset will remain the same regardless of where he enters the rotation.
“I don’t care if I start. I don’t care if I’m 6th, 7th person,” Sexton said.
With the Lakers reworking their roster around Doncic and Reaves following James’ departure, Sexton is expected to provide another ball-handler and an aggressive presence off the bench as Los Angeles enters the 2026-27 season.
