Point Guard Options For Lakers To Replace D’Angelo Russell

https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1878810687159652396

1. Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz

A former top-10 pick in 2018, Collin Sexton has been one of the most consistent players for the Jazz this season. While primarily a starter, he has shown the ability to come off the bench and make an impact in previous years and has all of the tools to be that effective sixth man.

Sexton is averaging 18 points and 3.9 assists while shooting 43% from 3-point range. He is also an excellent athlete and fierce competitor who backs down from no one, and the Lakers could certainly use a bit of that edge.

At $18 million and with another year left on his contract, Sexton is affordable as well. Either Gabe Vincent or Jarred Vanderbilt, along with Jalen Hood-Schifino and Christian Wood, would be enough to match the salary, but he would almost certainly cost the Lakers a first-round pick with his talent and age at just 26 years old.

2. Malcolm Brogdon, Washington Wizards

3. Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls

A very familiar name to Lakers fans, a return to L.A. could be great for Lonzo Ball who undoubtedly fits the criteria the Lakers need in a backup point guard. Obviously, the injury concern is big for Ball, who has returned to the court after missing the last two years, but he is beginning to round into form and might be worth the risk.

Prior to the injuries, Ball had turned into one of the best two-way point guards in the league as an elite defender and creator while also greatly improving as a shooter. If he can get anywhere close to that, Ball would be the perfect addition, capable of fitting in any lineup, playing on or off the ball, and contributing to the team’s defensive identity.

Like Brogdon, Ball is also in the last year of his contract, and at $21.4 million, the Lakers would need to include both Vincent and Vanderbilt or throw in multiple filler contracts such as Hood-Schifino, Wood, Shake Milton, Jaxson Hayes, or Cam Reddish.

4. Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers

5. CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans