The Los Angeles Lakers have signed athletic free agent forward and former lottery pick Wesley Johnson, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Other outlets have reported that the deal is for one year at the league minimum.
The 6'7" Johnson is an outstanding leaper who can finish on the break and hit his fair share of spot-up treys. Despite such potential, his inability to consistently create his own shot has rendered him a mere complementary role player throughout his NBA career. He is expected to compete for a starting job at the 3 next season.
“I’m happy to welcome Wesley back to our team and am excited to see him develop further after taking such great strides last season,” said Kupchak. “Wesley possesses elite athleticism, and has the potential to develop into an excellent defender.”
A four-year NBA veteran, Johnson had his best professional season last year with the Lakers, averaging career-highs in points per game (9.1), rebounds (4.4), steals (1.1), blocks (1.0), field goal percentage (.425), and three-point field goal percentage (.369), while appearing in a team-high 79 games.
Originally selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Johnson has appeared in 273 career games (210 starts), averaging 8.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.7 minutes per game as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves (2010-2012), Phoenix Suns (2012-13), and Lakers (2013-14).
Johnson spent his first two collegiate seasons at Iowa State (2006-08) before transferring to Syracuse, where he helped the Orange to a 30-5 record in 2009-10 and was named a First Team All-American.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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