Instant Trade Idea For Lakers To Land Underrated $18 Million Guard

The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten the 2024-25 NBA season off to a solid start by picking up big wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings. But two shaky losses to the Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers have once again brought up concerns about the team's roster strength against top-end teams in the NBA. They need more impactful guard play on the roster, especially after Austin Reaves' expanded role in the starting five.

The Utah Jazz are the only winless team in the NBA right now, starting the season 0-5. This team is rebuilding and looking to maximize its draft position ahead of a generational 2025 NBA Draft. In order to get the best odds, the Jazz could start the process of bottoming out and sending valuable veterans to situations where they can succeed. 

Collin Sexton would be a popular Jazz player on the trade block, and the Lakers should pounce on acquiring him before other teams get the same idea.

Trade Details

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Collin Sexton

Utah Jazz Receive: D'Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 Second-Round Pick (LAC), 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)

The Lakers are not eyeing a long-term future with Jalen Hood-Schifino, with the young point guard potentially being an asset in the Jazz rebuild if his potential can be unearthed. Russell would be a valuable expiring contract that the Jazz could instantly flip or keep on till the summer to receive some salary relief. Meanwhile, the Lakers get a combo guard who would be ideal next to Reaves in the backcourt.

The Lakers Add A Motivated Combo Guard To JJ Redick's Offense

JJ Redick's short time on the Lakers so far has shown that there's a clear emphasis on intelligent offense created through plays and ball movement. This could be a position where many guards who have been in tanking situations for most of their careers can thrive, which is why Collin Sexton is the perfect target for the franchise.

Sexton has started this season averaging 14.2 points but put up 18.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season. He's become a tenacious on-ball defender after being considered a weak defender during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, while still being regarded as one of the best hot-streak scorers in the NBA. Sexton would thrive on the Lakers under Redick and with a playmaker like LeBron James on the roster.

The Lakers would risk making a lateral move by swapping out Russell for Sexton, but Sexton provides a lot more on and off-ball versatility that the Lakers need right now. D'Angelo has struggled to adjust fully to Redick's system, so making a change early in the season to let Sexton acclimatize to the roster might be the best move possible.

The Jazz Continue Committing To Their Rebuild

The Utah Jazz have started the last few seasons as a genuine Playoff caliber team before bottoming out around the trade deadline, getting stuck in the middle of the Draft lottery. This season, the team has started 0-5 and looks well on its way to a top-five pick in next year's draft. Consolidating assets right now by moving a player like Sexton to the Lakers would be their best move, as it provides long-term upside for them.

Russell is averaging 10.8 points and 5.8 assists this season but averaged 18.0 points last season, shooting 7.2 threes per game at a 41.5% rate. The Jazz could find a team desperate enough to take a gamble on Russell as an expiring contract they can acquire by moving off small to mid-range contracts on their roster right now. Russell would provide more value to the Jazz as a trade asset than a player, although he could be a mentor for Keyontae George.

Jalen Hood-Schifino likely won't be a major player on the Jazz, with the Lakers already announcing the intention of getting rid of him next season. He's had no notable stats in the NBA so far, so the Jazz might find value in letting him develop in the G League before seeing if he can be a part of their long-term outlook.

The Lakers Need A Deal Like This To Level Up

In all honestly, the Jazz have no incentive to trade Sexton to the Lakers, especially for D'Angelo Russell. A lot of the positive value the Jazz receive in this deal is assumed on a potential Hood-Schifino resurgence or an additional Russell trade which brings more assets to the Jazz. 

But this could be the perfect guard the Lakers could realistically add to their roster. The salary cost of a star player like Zach LaVine or anyone on a contract over $20 million is far too steep for the Lakers even to consider. Sexton would be the perfect stop-gap in the guard position as someone who can be great in the present alongside Reaves in the backcourt but also has enough in the tank to continue performing over the next few seasons.

If the Lakers want to have a legitimate chance at being a top-four team in the West and contending, this deal would be the best way to get them closer to that goal.