The Los Angeles Lakers opted to re-sign Stanley johnson to another 10-day contract on Sunday night.
The Athletic's Shams Charania first reported the news. There has not been a formal announcement from the Lakers, as of yet.
It will mark the third 10-day accord for Johnson and the Lakers. The Lakers initially signed the former first-round pick to a hardship contract as they dealt with numerous players in health and safety protocols. Since those players re-joined the roster, the Lakers were no longer able to keep Johnson via hardship, and have accordingly utilized the two additional standard 10-day contracts they're allowed to hand out
After these upcoming 10 days — the clock will likely begin on Monday, Jan. 17, when the Lakers host the Utah Jazz — the Lakers will have to decide whether to sign Johnson for the rest of the 2021-22 NBA season or waive him (unless another player enters COVID-19 protocols, in which case the Lakers can use a hardship). The Lakers will play six games over the next 10 days.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1TPm3OFftbac33PA5zzf8R?si=df810c3171314121
Johnson — an Los Angeles native — made an immediate impact in his Lakers debut. On Christmas Day, he locked down James Harden in the fourth quarter, enabling the Lakers to erase a 20-point deficit and nearly come back to win. His impact has fluctuated since, but he provides athletic wing defense and toughness that the team is otherwise bereft of — especially as they play more small-ball. 36-year old Trevor Ariza has yet to be a difference-maker since returning from ankle surgery.
“When I would think about playing basketball in the NBA, I’d always view myself in a Laker jersey,” Johnson told The Athletic.
In nine games with the Lakers, including five starts, Johnson is averaging 5.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 20.3 minutes per game.
“Hopefully I’ve shown that I can be consistent, a good teammate, bring energy to the court, and just be a good professional overall,” Johnson said on Friday. “Obviously the goal is to get on the team and obviously stick long-term. That’s a goal of mine, if it happens it happens, I’ll be very excited about it…. I’ve really enjoyed myself while I’ve been here honestly.”
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