With 16 players on the team, there are no open roster spots available on the Lakers. Even so, as the new season draws near, they may have one or two more up their sleeve to make the necessary roster upgrades.
Initially, the Lakers were focused on adding Jonathan Kuminga in a potential sign-and-trade deal, but his situation has become increasingly unpredictable. Now, there’s a new player being suggested as a viable option at the forward spot: Nuggets swingman Cam Johnson. He’s not been made available by Denver, but there’s reason to believe they’d part with him for the right price.
“With the pursuit of Kuminga seemingly getting more and more complicated, the Lakers should head in another direction, with Cam Johnson potentially there for the taking. The Lakers could offer a trade package of Vanderbilt and LaRavia,” reported insider Ryan Ward.
It’s no secret that the Lakers have been looking to get rid of Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia, two players who were phased out of JJ Redick’s rotation last season. With LeBron James gone and all the money tied up in the top three players (Doncic, Reaves, Kessler), trading those guys is the only real way to make significant progress without breaking up their beloved core. The question is, could they actually pull off this deal?
At this point, it’s unclear if the Nuggets are interested in what the Lakers have to offer, but they are facing a financial crisis of their own right now. As restricted free agent Peyton Watson fights to get $25 million per year, they will have to decide how much it’s worth to keep him around. Trading Johnson could help cover the cost, and a deal with the Lakers would get them two role players in return.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles would finally get their fifth and final starter to (hopefully) compete for a title next season. With Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Walker Kessler, they already have a strong core to build around, but they have a hole at the forward spot that demands to be filled. Their first choice was Peyton Watson, but he’s far too expensive for the Lakers to realistically afford, and Cam is probably the best alternative for his level of production.
In 54 games last season, the veteran forward averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 48.0% shooting from the field. He started in all 54 games he played, providing key floor spacing and perimeter defense for a team that went 54-28 in the West. With $23 million owed next season, he’s on an expiring contract, which only complicates matters further.
Ultimately, the Lakers must find a replacement for LeBron if they want to be competitive next season. As presently constructed, they are vulnerable on the perimeter, especially defensively. Still, there is time to make a move, and the Lakers are considering all options at their disposal. Cam Johnson may not be the player fans were hoping for, but he’s arguably the best the Lakers could do right now, given their current situation.
