The Lakers Get a New Player: Collin Sexton Joins the Team (Easy Explainer)

When Did This Happen?

On July 12, 2026, at 4:12 p.m. ET (that’s the time in New York), the Los Angeles Lakers made an official announcement: they signed a new player.

Who Did They Sign?

They signed Collin Sexton. In basketball words, he is a “free agent guard.”

• Free agent: Think of it like a kid whose old playground membership ended, so he is free to join any new playground he wants.
• Guard: A player who usually dribbles the ball, shoots, and helps the team move forward.

How the Signing Happened (Simple Steps)

1. July 1, 2026: Sexton and the Lakers first agree to a deal (like a handshake promise).
2. July 1, 2026 (same day): Sexton posts a fun video on Instagram saying he’s ready.
3. A few days before July 12: The Lakers already announced they traded for Walker Kessler and signed Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
4. July 12, 2026: The Lakers officially say “Collin Sexton is ours now!”

The Contract (The Deal)

Here are the simple details of the promise Sexton made with the team:

1. Length: 2 years (like a two-year promise to play for the Lakers)
2. Money: $19 million total (that’s a gigantic pile of allowance money! )
3. Type: Free agent signing

Important: This signing is part of a big summer cleanup for the Lakers as they say goodbye to superstar LeBron James and rebuild the team.

Other Moves the Lakers Made

The Lakers have been busy like bees this offseason (the period when teams plan for next year). They also:

• Traded for Walker Kessler (a trade is like swapping lunchbox items with another team).
• Signed two other new players: Quentin Grimes and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
• Started the post-LeBron James era – meaning the famous LeBron is leaving, and they are making a fresh team.

(The original article also had a video and a link talking about LeBron leaving and guessing which team might sign him next, plus a photo gallery looking back at his Lakers memories.)

Who Is Collin Sexton? (Easy Biography)

• He was picked 8th overall in the 2018 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers (draft is like choosing teams in gym class).
• Last season, he played for two teams: the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls.
• His average game stats (what he usually does in one match):
  • 15.4 points (points are like goals in basketball)
  • 3.3 assists (passing so a friend can score)
  • 2.3 rebounds (grabbing the ball after a missed shot)
  • 1.1 steals (snatching the ball from the opponent)
• Over his 8-year career, he averages 18.3 points, 3.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds.

What Will He Do for the Lakers?

He is expected to be the lead guard off the bench. That means when the starting players take a rest, he will be the main player running the show.

• He is very athletic (good at jumping and running) and scores well: he makes 47% of his shots, especially close to the hoop.
• The Lakers have been missing this kind of scoring lately.
• He isn’t the best at defense (stopping the other team) or playmaking (drawing up plays), but he has a secret helper:
  • He played with Walker Kessler in Utah for 3 years, so they are old buddies.
  • This friendship probably helped the Lakers’ boss, Rob Pelinka, decide to sign him.

Important: Sexton’s experience playing with Kessler may make the team work better together right away.

Sexton’s Fun Announcement

Right after agreeing on July 1, Sexton posted a hype video on Instagram (a social media app). It used the song “No Child Left Behind” by Kanye West, and he wrote just two words: “It’s ON.” That means he’s ready to play!

Summary

• The Lakers officially signed Collin Sexton on July 12, 2026, after first agreeing on July 1.
• The deal is 2 years, $19 million.
• This is part of a big rebuild after LeBron James leaves the team.
• Sexton joins new teammates Kessler, Grimes, and Mamukelashvili.
• He is a scorer who already knows Kessler, and he’s super excited to start.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What does “free agent” mean in basketball?
A free agent is a player whose old contract is finished, so he can choose to sign with any team he likes—like a free kid picking a new team at recess.

2. Why do they call it the “post-LeBron James era”?
Because LeBron James, a super famous Laker, is leaving the team. The time after he leaves is called “post-LeBron” (post means after).

3. What is a “lead guard off the bench”?
The “bench” is where players sit when they aren’t starting. The “lead guard off the bench” is the main substitute player who comes in to direct the game when the starters rest.

4. How good is Sexton at shooting?
He makes 47 out of 100 shots on average, which is pretty good, especially near the basket. He scores around 15–18 points per game.

5. What was the “It’s ON” video?
It was a short fun clip Sexton shared on Instagram with music, showing he was excited and ready to join the Lakers.