The Los Angeles Lakers are in a pickle this free agency. After failing to snag Klay Thompson, who opted for the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers are desperate to bolster their roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With notable free agents disappearing, the road to acquiring another star looks perilous. However, bet on Cameron Johnson over DeRozan and Grant could be their unexpected ticket to success.
Why the Lakers Must Bet on Cameron Johnson Over DeRozan and Grant
In a twist, LeBron just inked a new two-year, $104 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. While this is a win for the Lakers, it nudges them over the second apron, complicating any moves to bring in another high-profile player.
Wojnarowski also hints that LeBron might take a slight pay cut to keep the team’s flexibility intact. This potential sacrifice could be key as the Lakers hunt for new talent. The Lakers have set their sights on Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan and Portland Trail Blazers’ Jerami Grant. Both players could be game-changers for L.A.
DeRozan could ease the playmaking burden on LeBron, aligning with new coach JJ Reddick’s vision of using LeBron off the ball. Grant, a robust 3-and-D player, would mesh well with rookie sharpshooter Dalton Knecht, adding depth to the Lakers’ offense.
Curiously, Brooklyn Nets’ Cameron Johnson hasn’t generated much buzz. But why not? Standing at 6’8″, Johnson is a formidable 3-and-D asset, shooting 3.1% from beyond the arc last season. The Nets, eyeing a rebuild, might be open to trading Johnson, whose $23.6 million cap hit is more palatable than DeRozan’s or Grant’s salaries.
D’Angelo Russell, with his $19.7 million salary, could be the Lakers’ bargaining chip, but matching salaries for Johnson or Grant remains tricky. NBA rules prohibit teams over the second apron from aggregating contracts to acquire a single player, further complicating matters.
The Bulls are reportedly open to a sign-and-trade for DeRozan, but it’s not a straightforward path for the cap-strapped Lakers. The more feasible route might involve Cameron Johnson, a solid yet underrated target who wouldn’t require the Lakers to part with core players like Austin Reaves.
While Johnson might not be the “third star” LeBron and Davis crave, he is a top-tier role player who fits the Lakers’ immediate and future needs. At 28, with three more years on his contract, Johnson offers a blend of youth and experience perfect for a team balancing win-now and long-term strategies.
The Lakers’ options are dwindling fast. As the clock ticks, DeRozan and Grant are high on their wishlist, but Johnson should not be overlooked. The time to act is now.
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