NBA Notes: Lakers, Collin Sexton, Hawks, Heat, Bobby Portis Jr.

Lakers

Collin Sexton has bounced around the NBA lately. He’s hoping the Lakers become something more permanent.

Sexton signed a two-year, $19 million contract with Los Angeles this summer after finishing last season with the Bulls. He told ESPN LA that the opportunity to finally play for a winner was a major attraction.

“I would say just opportunity to win, being on big stage and being in the situation where I can try to come in and impact winning,” Sexton said.

The Lakers will be Sexton’s fifth team in nine seasons, and he hasn’t had many opportunities to play meaningful postseason basketball.

He’s also reuniting with former Jazz teammate Walker Kessler, whom Sexton believes can make a “huge impact” defensively while providing Luka Doncic with another lob threat.

Sexton also joined teammates for workouts in Slovenia this summer, something he viewed as a reflection of Doncic’s growing leadership role.

“For Luka to do that, it just shows a true leader,” Sexton said.

Hawks

The Hawks didn’t make the splashiest moves this summer. They may have made some pretty useful ones.

Jackson Caudell of NBA on SI noted that Atlanta addressed one of last season’s biggest problems by adding depth, particularly with Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins joining a perimeter group that already includes Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

That’s a lot of defense. The Hawks also added No. 8 overall pick Kingston Flemings and retained Jock Landale while maintaining considerable flexibility for another move.

Caudell notes Atlanta has nearly $60 million in expiring contracts involving CJ McCollum, Dort, Landale, Mouhamed Gueye and Andrew Nembhard.

In other words, the Hawks improved without necessarily locking themselves into this particular roster. Not a bad place to be.

Heat

Giannis Antetokounmpo is obviously going to command most of the attention in Miami.

But the Heat suddenly have some interesting options behind him, too.

Major Passons of NBA on SI examined Miami’s power forwards and pointed to Bobby Portis as a particularly useful complement. Portis arrived from Milwaukee alongside Antetokounmpo after shooting 45 percent from 3-point range last season.

Then there’s Nikola Jovic. His shooting cratered last season, leaving his place in Miami’s long-term plans somewhat uncertain.

But Jovic remains an intriguing 6-foot-10 transition player, and playing alongside Giannis certainly shouldn’t hurt.

Of course, we’re probably overcomplicating this. Miami has Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s a pretty good place to start.