Collin Sexton’s availability is a question heading into the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings after the guard appeared at Monday’s shootaround with his lower right leg wrapped.
Khobi Price of the California Post reported that Sexton had wrapping around his calf area during media access. He later did some jogging, shuffling and resistance work using a harness.
The report did not identify an injury diagnosis or confirm whether Sexton would play. That leaves his first opportunity to demonstrate his fit in JJ Redick’s backcourt unresolved as the Lakers move from practices to preseason competition.
Collin Sexton has identified a specific job with the Lakers
Sexton has already described the second unit as an area where he believes he can help. At last week’s Media Day, he discussed the need he saw before joining Los Angeles.
“I think for me something that I see, the need of the team before signing here was the bench,” Sexton said. “I feel like being able to come in and have an impact of bringing energy, bringing juice.”
His explanation went beyond adding points. Sexton spoke about making his presence felt through physical play and activity, including when shots or whistles were not going his way.
He also indicated that his approach would not depend on whether he started or entered later in the rotation.
Those comments establish a useful standard for evaluating his debut whenever it comes. Scoring will be part of the assessment, but so will his ability to bring a different tempo into the game and remain involved when another guard controls the ball.
Sexton averaged 15.4 points, 3.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game in the 2025-26 season.
That production gives the Lakers an established offensive option to work into their rotation. The next question is how much of that offense Redick wants Sexton to initiate and how often he will ask him to complement Doncic or Reaves instead.
Lakers Daily previously examined Sexton’s potential as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. That possibility depends on how his role develops; it does not mean his minutes or place in the closing lineup are already settled.
JJ Redick’s staggering plan creates several possible combinations
Redick anticipates staggering Doncic and Reaves during the regular season. The coach also expressed confidence in Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Bronny James and Jaden Hardy as supporting options.
Staggering the two leading guards would allow Redick to keep one on the court while the other rests. For Sexton, that creates the possibility of playing alongside either one rather than working exclusively with a separate group of reserves.
The combinations would ask different things of the players involved. With Doncic or Reaves initiating a possession, Sexton could attack after the defense has already shifted.
When Sexton handles the ball, the Lakers can evaluate whether those same lineups give their other creators a meaningful break from organizing the offense.
Those are preseason questions, not confirmed assignments. Redick’s comments identified several options, and a rotation used in an exhibition will not necessarily become the regular-season order.
If Sexton sits against Sacramento, the available guards could get additional opportunities to handle those possessions. It would also delay the Lakers’ first game look at how Sexton fits into the combinations Redick has discussed.
Monday’s Lakers-Kings game tips off at 7 p.m. PST.
