The Los Angeles Lakers are seeking to add firepower around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Because of their tight cap situation, that will likely have to come via trade.
Per the latest scuttlebutt, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is eyeing Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton, though he may have to reunite Kevin Love with James in order to make it happen.
On Monday, Sam Amico of HoopsWire reported that Los Angeles is among a slew of teams — including the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers, and New Orleans Pelicans — monitoring the Sexton situation.
“Some of the teams in that group would be willing to take back the contract of Cavs power forward Kevin Love to help make a Sexton trade work, sources said. Others might reach out to third parties to help facilitate a deal. All apparently remain in the exploratory stage and have yet to put together anything resembling a real offer.”
Sexton, the No. 8 overall pick in 2018, averaged 24.3 points per game in 2020-21 and he's drastically improved each season. He would provide a scoring upgrade over Dennis Schroder though hasn't proven to have the same defensive chops, and he's never played in high-pressure situations since joining the NBA. As a career 38.5% three-point shooter for his career, Sexton would help address that area of need.
Should’ve known Collin Sexton would be a problem as soon as this stare down video happened 👀😤
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 21, 2021
Sexton is entering the final season of his rookie deal, and the Cavs, with other talented young players in their backcourt, are looking to reap value for him rather than signing him to a scaled max contract, which could pay him as much as $168 million over five years. The Athletic previously reported that Sexton is “very available” this summer.
Collin Sexton does his best Rajon Rondo impression and it's niiice 😍pic.twitter.com/1YJX398MMd
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) March 21, 2021
The Lakers don't have the most appealing cabinet of trade assets, though it's plausible that Pelinka could form a package enticing enough for Cavs GM Koby Altman. The Lakers can offer some combination of: the No. 22 pick of the July 29 NBA Draft, their 2027 first-rounder, Kyle Kuzma (owed $13 million in 2021-22), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($13 million), along with impending free agents Schroder, Montrezl Harrell ($9.7 million player option), 20-year old Talen Horton-Tucker and Alex Caruso — should they agree to a sign-and-trade, among minor assets.
“That said, one source identified the Lakers as a team that ‘are exploring all avenues' in looking at a trade for Sexton, along with multiple other younger veteran players,” writes Amico.
Considering the Lakers' relatively modest assets, it's fair to assume the Cavs would surely want to unload Love — onto either Los Angeles or a third team — were they to agree to deal with Pelinka.
Love, of course, spent four seasons as LeBron's teammate in Cleveland, making four trips to the Finals and winning the 2016 NBA championship. However — despite being named to Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics — Love's value has plummeted over the past couple of years. In a sparing 25 appearances in 2020-21, the 32-year old averaged 12.2 PPG — his lowest mark since his rookie season.
Yet, it's possible a move back to his hometown, with LeBron, and into playoff contention could revitalize the five-time All-Star. His 37.0% career average from three would offer much-needed spacing improvement, too. Love grew up in Santa Monica and played at UCLA.
Sexton, by contrast, has missed just 12 games in his NBA career. In addition to athleticism and shooting, the Lakers also need to improve their durability in 2021-22.
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