CLEVELAND — Ramon Sessions is ready to be a starting point guard in the NBA.
That's something he displayed this season in his four starts with the Cavaliers, when he averaged 17.8 points and 11.0 assists per game.
Sessions proved to be speedy, a strong distributor and, as Lakers coach Mike Brown said, capable of driving into "the teeth of the defense."
Brown also views Sessions as "a pick-and-roll player that can get downhill, get to the paint and the free-throw line."
On top of those things, Sessions won't turn 26 until April and has made marked improvement with his perimeter shooting. In his first four NBA seasons, he was a combined 13 of 71 on 3-pointers. This year, he's 26 for 62. So he is confident taking more — and he's making more.
As an added bonus, the guys he'll now be running the court with are named Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. All have been there before, all have championship rings, all can teach their teammates how to win.
This isn't to put Sessions in the same class as such greats as Derrick Rose, Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook. Clearly, Sessions is unproven as a starter.
But when you consider what the Lakers had to work with, what they traded to the Cavs (Luke Walton, Jason Kapono and a first-round pick) and where they hope to go, well, Sessions could turn out to be a steal.
The Lakers needed a starting-caliber point guard, and again, it's a role for which Sessions seems ready.
Another thing that's not been mentioned much is how Sessions handled his situation in Cleveland. He's older and more experienced than Kyrie Irving, and Sessions often played as well as Irving in his starts. One of those starts was a win over Paul and the Clippers.
A lot of guys in Sessions' situation would have complained — at least privately.
Imagine having four years of experience, performing your job admirably and even showing improvement from one year to the next. Then imagine being told by your manager you'll be second-in-command behind the new kid.
Sessions handled it with class, never changing his expression or conveying dismay. He just went to work and did what was asked.
That's a trait that will suit him well in LA, as Brown still seems to be figuring out how to best use Bryant and the rest of the Lakers' offensive weapons. Having an even-tempered point guard can help a lot — especially as the games get bigger.
Big games are something the Lakers are used to, a big reason why they're looking to win now as opposed to waiting around for a draft choice that is likely to land in the Nos. 22-27 range.
"In terms of the draft picks, I don't think we could've found a Ramon Sessions if he were available in the 20s this year in the draft," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told the LA media after making the acquisition.
Also perhaps benefiting the Lakers is the fact they were able to keep Steve Blake.
Blake doesn't do much more these days than distribute, but he's the type of calming influence and solid floor leader a team is aiming for in a backup point guard. Blake and Sessions won't ever be mistaken for Steve Nash, but together, they can certainly be competitive.
Will Sessions be enough to help the Lakers win another title? Most experts seem to be saying no.
But he is a major upgrade at the most important position, and when you team him with the Lakers' biggest stars, well, you have to think something good might happen. The Lakers are banking on that very premise, in fact.
"We are hopeful he will make an immediate contribution," Kupchak said.
If Sessions was anything like he was with the Cavs, that hope could come to fruition.
Follow Sam Amico on Twitter @SamAmicoFSO
