The Lakers have long been rumored to be interested in high-profile additions to their squad, such as Dejounte Murray and Zach LaVine. However, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the team is also reportedly seeking point guard help at a more affordable price. He mentioned that the Lakers are considering guards Tyus Jones of the Washingtоn Wizards and Collin Sexton of the Utah Jazz.
After being added to the starting lineup on December 13 by the Jazz, Sexton has flourished. Since then, the Jazz have gone on a 15-4 run, and he is averaging nearly 22 points per game. The Jazz, like the Lakers learned the hard way last year, will gladly dismantle a winning team midway through the season if doing so helps them achieve their long-term objectives. The Lakers’ willingness to pay the correct amount and Utah’s lack of interest in Sexton as a long-term player should pique Danny Ainge’s interest enough for him to listen. Keyonte George, a promising rookie guard, may decide that Sexton isn’t necessary for Utah’s future success.
It hasn’t been nearly as successful for Jones and the Wizards. Given that the Wizards are now 7-32 and not even halfway through the season, it’s safe to assume that all of their seasoned players will be available. Jones, whose contract is about to expire, is a prime example of this. The Lakers would get an all-around point guard in Jones, who was a top backup for the Memphis Grizzlies for many years, even though he isn’t a scorer like Sexton.
The Lakers’ point guard situation has been problematic all season. They signed D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, and Austin Reaves this offseason with the intention of using them as LeBron James’s backup ballhandlers. Russell and Reaves have both been benched at different points this season—though they are both presently starting again—and Vincent has been sidelined for the majority of the campaign. The Lakers must find a way to increase their offense because they are presently ranked 22nd in the league and score 6.2 less points per 100 possessions when James is not on the court.
Nearly three weeks remain before the trade deadline, giving the Lakers plenty of time to consider their options. Without a significant improvement by 2021, it is improbable that they will make it to the Western Conference finals again. Bringing in a former All-Star like LaVine or Murray would make the most noise, but the Lakers seem open to looking at less expensive options, given the price tag on players with that level of accomplishment.