Collin Sexton did not achieve much for the Utah Jazz, but even so, there shouldn't be any hard feelings towards him because he did what he could. He may have joined the Los Angeles Lakers, i.e., an enemy, but at least he now gets the chance to legitimately compete, something he never got in Utah.
However, it's pretty clear what Sexton can do - score efficiently - and what he can't do - defend - and yet, the role he apparently sees himself emulating with the Lakers are Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley, two NBA players whose calling cards were their defense.
During Sexton's first media availability, he was asked if he could play a similar role to Smart. Sexton explained why he believes he could fill that role.
“I would say so. I watched a lot of the playoffs, I watched a lot of (Smart) over the years, but also I would just say his mindset,” Sexton said in his first media availability. “How can I be in the right spot? How can I make plays? Like you said, I’m always scoring, but how can I make plays on the defensive end? How can I get the one more or the hockey assist? Those little things.
“And also, I watched a little bit of Avery Bradley as well. How he was able to change the pace on defense, and that was a while ago. But just watching him and his competitive nature, that’s my guy, so I was like, you know what? How did he impact winning when he was here? And I feel like those two guys, I’ve been able to really lock in on because I feel like I can bring that to this team.”
In all fairness, Sexton was put on the spot about this, and good for him for having the right mindset, but come on. Sexton is as far from someone like Smart as it gets. If he was, Utah would have kept him. Defense was the Jazz's worst problem in the three years he was there. Sexton didn't cause that problem, but his skillset did nothing to fix it.
Sexton did what Utah paid him to do and did a good enough job that everyone was shocked he was sold for as little as he seemingly was last year (Old Takes Exposed). However, if he could play defense at an elite level, Utah would have kept him, no questions asked.
It would be unreal bad luck for Utah if Sexton turns into Smart or Bradley
Even with all this criticism directed towards Sexton on that side of the floor, it would be an awesome development for him to turn into that kind of player. Not only would he have stayed a Jazzman if he evolved into that kind of defender, but he would be a game-changer for the Lakers if he does.
It would also be quite a bad twist of fate for Utah because that's the kind of player they absolutely could have used on their current squad or could have gotten more assets out of if they wanted to trade him.
Even worse is that if he does, that affects the draft assets the Lakers owe the Jazz from the Walker Kessler trade. Sexton might not be a star, but he is a quality player whose value would potentially triple if he manages to become a Smart replacement.
The odds of that happening are at next to zero, but if there's one league where crazy happens, it's the NBA, and if there's one team that makes crazy things happen, it's the Lakers.
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