Lakers Rewarding Stanley Johnson With Two-Year Deal Raises Questions On Next Moves

The Los Angeles Lakers have rewarded Stanley Johnson to a two-year deal.

It is a move that likely indicates the franchise is accepting the fact that they have minimal options heading into the NBA trade deadline.

Signing the 25-year-old small forward was widely expected after a couple of 10-day contracts. In that span, the No. 8 overall pick of the Detroit Pistons put on a credible showing.

In 14 games, the Arizona College standout averaged 6.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 21.2 minutes per game.

It is worth noting that the two-year deal has a catch. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the second year will be team-controlled.

Johnson will officially book the 15th spot of the Lakers. The 6-foot-6 cager agreed to the team option for 2022-23, a team-friendly contract that also gives the club some flexibility in free agency this summer.

The new deal takes effect after Wednesday, January 26 once the final 10-day deal of Johnson expires, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported.

Johnson is a hard-nosed player who has given the Lakers a boost on the defensive end.

With Johnson getting a new lease on life, it also hints that the Lakers have little chance of adding other pieces heading into the trade deadline on February 10.

The names of Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn were mentioned as possible trade bait, but there has been little interest from several teams.

Jerami Grant is someone on the block for the Detroit Pistons, and the Lakers were one of the reported suitors.

Unfortunately, the package involving Horton-Tucker and Nunn was something that failed to drum up the interest of Pistons management, the Bleacher Report reported.

With that said, the pressure is now on head coach Frank Vogel to try and work things out with his current cast.

Russell Westbrook is also drawing heat for his continued struggle, and trading the former Most Valuable Player is unlikely.

Hence, the Lakers have their work cut out for them this season although hope floats that things will be different come the playoffs.