USA Today via Reuters
Jun 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka walks off following the introductory news conference for head coach JJ Redick at the UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka walks off following the introductory news conference for head coach JJ Redick at the UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
There’s a running gag on the internet where a randomly drawn character is poking Rob Pelinka with a twig, begging for him to do something. And that absolutely sums up the Lakers nation’s attitude towards the LA front office. Pelinka has left the Lakers trade market with no major activity in the offseason.
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While Western Conference rivals are getting stronger, the Lakers remain content with the addition of Bronny James and Dalton Knecht. But there’s still time and there’s hope for some salvation in this cursed offseason for the franchise. The hopeful news comes from Brooklyn, and it might prompt the Lakers into action.
Four months after undergoing foot and wrist surgery, Bojan Bogdanovic (35) is ready to return to the court. The Croatian traded to the Nets as a part of the Mikal Bridges deal with the Knicks, enhancing the Nets’ future draft assets. This rebuilding process for the Nets could be a blessing for the Lakers, who are focused on immediate.
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According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, “Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Bojan Bogdanovic are the three forwards teams around the league are labeling as the next names to be on the move. Out of this grouping of players, Johnson is the one generating the most interest. In addition to the Kings inquiring about Johnson, the Rockets, Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Antonio Spurs have been linked to the former first-round pick, sources said.”
Now with Bogdanovic fit, the Lakers can push for a trade along with Cam Johnson, who’d be of special interest to them. And with JJ Redick at the helm, Johnson’s chances of donning the iconic gold and purple look brighter than ever in the recent light of the Nets’ mass exodus plan.
Lakers trade move for Cam Johnson makes all the sense in the world
The revolutionized modern game’s high affinity for 3-point shooting has laid the foundation for most of the Champions of recent times. Be it the Warriors or the Celtics of the recently concluded season, the onus is on having multiple shooters on the floor. JJ Redick made it clear that he is all-in for that and wants more shooting from the deep to rid LeBron James of the scoring burden.
Cam Johnson is the best available match for that in the trade market. The 28-year-old forward averaged 13.4 points last season with 39.1% shooting from beyond the arc. And that’s exactly what the Lakers need. On top of his shooting, Johnson brings his 6’8″ frame that can add some value on the defensive end. Given Johnson’s connection with Redick, the Lakers fans can be hopeful about their HC’s ability to bring out the best.
Johnson is tied to a $94,500,000 contract that runs through 2027. Even if his $23 million annual salary is deemed too much for the Lakers due to cap concerns, they’ll have a cut-price deal in Bogdanovic. The veteran forward is set to make $19 million in the 2024-25 season. But there is no lack of suitors for the Nets’ assets, so Rob Pelinka’s decision-making has to be faster, at least what it has been so far in this offseason.
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Edited by
Andrew Pereira