$71 Million Scorer Listed As Lakers Trade Target: ‘Lightning In A Bottle’

The Los Angeles Lakers will enter the new season with great plans for their roster and the franchise has already been mentioned in trade rumors along with a talented scorer. Zach Buckley from Bleacher Report was among the first to discuss this option.

“It’s … possible the Lakers could wind up needing another point guard, as the stage was seemingly set for a D’Angelo Russell deal when he waived his implied no-trade clause,” wrote Buckley on August 28. “L.A. could catch lightning in a bottle with a young, offensive-minded point guard like Anthony or Sexton.”

😈 Young Bull brought the 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 and the 𝗯𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 this season 😈

let's take a look back,
a thread🧵 pic.twitter.com/nSVFURqtus

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 28, 2023

The 24-year-old had a good season with the Utah Jazz last season. He averaged 14.3 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.2 rebounds while going 39.3% from deep. Sexton is in the second year of his four-year deal worth $70.9 million.

Lakers to trade for a top scorer and create a situation with their current players

The Lakers will have to make a decision regarding D’Angelo Russell as well. He was strong in the regular season, but struggled in the postseason. Let’s just say he wasn’t a big factor in the series against the Denver Nuggets. Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office decided to give him a two-year deal this offseason. Russell did decide to waive the no-trade clause.

“This is a significant development for LA and their flexibility at the trade deadline,” tweeted Jovan Buha of The Athletic on July 10. Under the old rules — and had D’Angelo Russell not waived his veto rights — he would’ve had a say in any trade out of LA.”

The Lakers made some big moves so far and they could make even more in the future. Pelinka decided to enter the new season with most of the players from last year’s roster.

“A roster turnover that began at the trade deadline only got better this summer as the Lakers retained a lot of their key players,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz on August 19. “Adding Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes and re-signing D’Angelo Russell made for a terrific offseason overall and helped vindicate Pelinka after his prior mistakes.”