One of the most notable additions to the Los Angeles Lakers ongoing rebuild post LeBron James, Collin Sexton, is looking to capitalize on his first opportunity to compete on basketball’s biggest stage and achieve serious postseason success in the purple and gold.
In his inaugural interview since arriving in California, Sexton shared his initial impressions of his new environment and the locker room atmosphere.
A warm welcome and daily growth
Joining an iconic franchise brought a massive surge of energy, and Sexton highlighted how welcoming his new teammates and coaching staff have been from day one:
“It was incredible. Everyone is very open and welcoming, and it’s been great talking to the coaches and players. There are a lot of new faces, so we’re all learning together day by day.”
A big stage and the drive to win
After spending years with teams building through developmental phases, Sexton expressed high motivation to finally showcase his talent for a franchise with championship aspirations:
“I’d say it’s an opportunity to win, play on a big stage, and be in a situation where I can step in and make a real winning impact.”
The veteran guard remains fully aware of how challenging it is to establish consistent success in the NBA:
“I feel like I’ve been on different teams where it was much tougher. Of course, the desire to win was always there. But winning in the NBA is definitely hard. It’s a tough thing, and every single night you’re going up against the best of the best.”
Bringing the energy to LA. Welcome to the Lake Show, Collin 💛 pic.twitter.com/ijJYPqFxFX
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 12, 2026
Closing out his thoughts, Sexton expressed complete confidence in his role and his rapid adaptation to the Lakers’ system:
“So I think it comes down to being on this stage and being able to impact winning day in and day out through what I bring to the team and the game itself. I feel like I fit in perfectly.”
The journey to California: From Charlotte and Chicago to Hollywood
Before suiting up for the Lakers, Sexton played for two different franchises last season. During February, he was traded from the Charlotte Hornets to the Chicago Bulls.
Through the remainder of that campaign, he appeared in 26 games for the Chicago Bulls, making 10 starts. During that stretch, he delivered high-caliber performances on the floor, averaging 17.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
