Grade the trade pitch: Lakers in pursuit of a top experience sharpshooter from Brooklyn Nets
The Los Angeles Lakers are seeking a sharpshooting wing to address a significant weakness. This is a common offseason objective, especially given the increased emphasis on three-point shooting in the post-Stephen Curry era.
As the Lakers look to bolster their roster this summer, they may find an ideal trade partner in a team currently undergoing a fire sale.
The Brooklyn Nets made headlines at the start of the 2024 offseason by trading franchise player Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. In exchange, the Nets received Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round draft picks, a protected first-round selection, and a pick swap.
This substantial draft haul demonstrates Brooklyn’s shift toward future-focused team-building rather than immediate success.
This strategic shift is crucial for the Lakers to consider, as their need for improvement aligns with the Nets’ long-term rebuilding plans. Consequently, Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka might focus on acquiring Cameron Johnson.
The main questions surrounding a potential trade are: What would the Lakers need to give up, and how would Johnson fit into their roster?
Johnson’s fit with the Lakers is clear. Standing at 6’8″ and 210 pounds with a 6’10” wingspan, Johnson offers defensive value due to his size and length. More importantly, he is one of the NBA’s top shooters, known for his high release point and accuracy from all over the court.
In the 2023-24 season, Johnson averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.4 three-pointers in 27.6 minutes per game. He shot .446/.391/.789, closely mirroring his career averages of .447/.392/.830.
Additionally, Johnson has a connection with Lakers head coach JJ Redick, having appeared on Redick’s podcast, “The Old Man & the Three,” in an insightful interview.
The primary concern with Johnson is his availability, as he missed 40 games in the 2022-23 season and 24 games in 2023-24. Injury concerns are always a factor in trade discussions, making the context of this potential trade particularly important.
With all these considerations in mind, the essential question remains: What would a trade between Brooklyn and Los Angeles look like?