The Golden State Warriors were briefly linked to Collin Sexton prior to free agency, only for the 27-year-old to wind up quickly signing a two-year, $19.2 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Warriors could have given Sexton an obvious role as a backup ball-handler and playmaker behind Stephen Curry, leaving some curiosity as to why there wasn't more mutual interest in a deal that obviously went ignored by player, franchise or both.
Collin Sexton faces Lakers regret after early Warriors interest
Sexton could prove to be a savvy free agent signing, but there's an outcome where both he and the front office regret the move given the presence of star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. It will likely leave Sexton in an unfamiliar role next season, having averaged 29 minutes across his career while starting 75% of games.
When you also consider Quentin Grimes' free agency addition, Sexton may end up being the fourth guard averaging less than 20 minutes per game -- something he's never done in his eight-year career. Perhaps he's ready to embrace such a standing in the rotation, but that feels unlikely for a player who should be in the middle of his career from an age standpoint.
The 6'3" guard has a player option on the second year of his deal which suggests he'd ideally like to opt out and sign a bigger deal, yet he doesn't appear to be entering a situation that's going to maximize the ability to build his value.
That's in contrast to the Warriors who have a clear need for ball-handlers, playmaking and scoring, particularly while Jimmy Butler remains sidelined by injury. Sexton could have walked into a prominent role behind and even alongside Curry, not to mention the primary role he'd get on nights where the 38-year-old is resting or injured.
Warriors could regret not targeting offensive-minded guard
Golden State ultimately decided to use their taxpayer mid-level exception on bringing De'Anthony Melton back, pointing to his fit alongside Curry in the backcourt instead of further pursuing Sexton or Anfernee Simons.
The Warriors do have Melton and Brandin Podziemski, in addition to Curry, as notable guard options, but neither of those are primary ball-handlers or averaged anywhere near the 18.3 points that Sexton has averaged on his career.
If the Warriors struggle offensively without Butler and/or Curry misses significant time again through injury, the decision not to show more interest in Sexton or Simons is one that could quickly come back to haunt the front office.
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