On January 27, Beijing time, according to ESPN fame Warnaroski reported that the Lakers decided to sign a two-year contract with forward Stanley Johnson, which is the team option for the 2022-23 season. Previously, Johnson and the Lakers signed two short 10-day contracts. The two sides are expected to formally sign the two-year contract on Friday Beijing time.
Warnaroski reported that the Lakers had been discussing some two-for-one deals, but eventually let Johnson stay, becoming the 15th man on the team. Johnson, in particular, is willing to accept next year's contract as a team option, allowing the two sides to reach an agreement soon, which leaves some trading flexibility for the Lakers to operate this summer.
Salary expert Bobby Max followed up on the details of the contract: Johnson will receive a salary of $888616 for the rest of the season, while the team option next season is $2351521. In other words, Johnson's two-year contract is worth $3.24 million.
Max also revealed the Lakers' salary situation in the past two years. The luxury tax they currently face is $43.7 million, compared to $45.7 million before trading Rondo. By the 2022-23 season, the Lakers had seven players on contract and a total salary of $149 million.
Without a trade, the Lakers could only use the $6.2 million mini-middle and veteran base salary in the free agency market, with Westbrook and Nunn as player options, Reeves as non-guaranteed contracts, and Johnson as the team option.
Chalania said Johnson's 10-day contract expired today, and his infectious defense and energy have earned him the security for the rest of the season. Johnson's defense did conquer teammates and the coaching staff, and he was also reused by Vogel during his time with the Lakers. According to the data, since December 26, the Lakers' most used 5-man group is Westbrook + Bradley + Munch + Johnson + James, and this lineup has a total of 72 minutes and can win 12.7 points per 100 rounds.
Johnson was the No. 8 show of 2015. So far this season, Johnson has played in 14 games for the Lakers, averaging 21.2 minutes per game, contributing 6.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.4 blocks.