Dynamic guard Collin Sexton signed a two-year, $19 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

His arrival will see him rejoin forces with a former teammate of three years on the Utah Jazz, center Walker Kessler.

The Lakers pursued the 7-foot-2 big man aggressively in the summer, securing his services in a blockbuster sign-and-trade on a four-year, $130 million contract.

Sexton, going into his ninth year in the NBA, said during his first Lakers media day on Monday that the integration process into a new environment is made easier by previously knowing some people. 

That should excite fans on the purple and gold side of Los Angeles. Yes, the Lakers have more work to do to make a group with nine new faces heading into the new campaign cohesive by the start of the regular season. But a lot of familiarity all over the hardwood is already there. 

While Sexton and Kessler may not start together for head coach JJ Redick, them already having an on-court relationship is great news for the various Lakers rotations that will see playing time over the course of the season. 

Sexton and Kessler served as core young pieces on the Jazz from 2022 to 2025, following the departures of the likes of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Current Laker Jarred Vanderbilt was also a part of that team.

Granted, that doesn't always have to mean much in a new organization in a different city, playing different roles. However, it doesn't hurt, either, to have that sense of comfort as you find your bearings. Although everything around you is changing, you know what to expect from at least one person.

"[Kessler] is one of those people who's going to come in every day ready to work," Sexton said. "That's the same mindset that I have, and that's the way I approach the game. We have a really good connection off the court [too], even just going to eat together or hanging out." 

Sexton mentioned that the duo worked out together before they even knew they would be on the same team again this summer.

With LeBron James now out of town and Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves taking over as the heads of the snake, Redick will be ecstatic to have some players come in who are seasoned and who bring consistent production on a nightly basis.

Because as important as forging a bond off the floor is, it is the on-court performance that ultimately pays the bills. 

Sexton and Kessler figure to be key cogs in the Lakers' operation.

Kessler, going into his fifth campaign in the league, has only played 63 games over the last two seasons. He will be looking to put his injury woes behind him, and he will need to, considering how much faith the Lakers have put in him.

He started last season really well, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, three assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game — shooting at a 70.3 percent clip from the field. However, he featured in just five games before a torn labrum in his left shoulder ruled him out for the remainder of the year. 

The season prior, Kessler tallied 11.1 points, 12.2 boards, and 2.4 blocks across 58 games. The Lakers certainly can't afford to have him miss more than a handful of games. But Kessler stressed during media day that he is "110 percent" healthy.

If that is to be the case, and his performances from Utah carry over, the Lakers will have an elite defensive anchor and an offensive difference-maker with the potential to become the best center in the league. 

Sexton provides excellent depth as a combo guard, but is probably better playing as the two-guard with his scoring capabilities. He's also a willing point-of-attack defender. He averaged 15.4 points and 1.1 steals in 23.7 minutes per game last season.

Arguably most impressively, he made 40.1 percent of his three-point attempts — making the absolute most of his role. The Lakers will be hoping the perimeter shooting stays with Sexton in LA. That would immediately make him one of the more impactful second-unit acquisitions in recent years.