The Los Angeles Lakers, after their impressive run to the Western Conference Finals last season and a series of strategic moves in the NBA offseason, entered the 2023-24 season with high expectations.

Many anticipated them to be a formidable force and potential title contenders.

However, the Lakers have encountered challenges in establishing a clear identity this season, and as the halfway point of the 2023-24 NBA regular season approaches, they find themselves hovering around .500.

This performance falls far short of the team’s initial aspirations.

While the Lakers have managed to secure some notable victories in the current regular season, including triumphs over the Los Angeles Clippers (twice), the Oklahoma City Thunder (twice), and clinching the league’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, their overall performance has left much to be desired.

They appear to struggle and are not perceived as a team that could compete successfully in a seven-game series against the league’s elite franchises.

With the NBA trade deadline looming on February 8, the Lakers are among the teams expected to make significant moves. There are indications that they might be pursuing a trade for guard Collin Sexton from the Utah Jazz, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin via KSL Sports.

Although Sexton may not possess the game-changing prowess of players like Dejounte Murray or Zach LaVine, his addition to the Lakers’ roster could provide a much-needed boost to the backcourt in Los Angeles.

His presence could inject fresh energy into the team, potentially aiding their performance in the latter half of the season.

In the 42 games played so far this season, Sexton has averaged 16.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting an impressive 48.9% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the three-point line.

His statistics suggest that he could make a valuable contribution to the Lakers, potentially helping them address their ongoing challenges and propel them towards a more successful season.