Lakers Should Consider Cam Johnson amid DeMar DeRozan, Jerami Grant, NBA Trade Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers have failed to gain much traction in early free agency. They made a play for Klay Thompson, who instead chose the Dallas Mavericks.

With other notable players coming off the free-agent and trade markets, LA faces the reality that getting another star to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis could be extremely difficult.

On Wednesday, James agreed to a new two-year, $104 million deal with the Lakers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. That’s good news for a franchise that clearly wanted to retain the aging star. However, the deal, as reported, puts LA just over the second apron, which would make adding a big-name player very awkward.

According to Wojnarowski, James may still be willing to take a little less.

“There’s still a conversation with agent Rich Paul and Lakers about James taking $1 million or so below max to keep team below second-apron and able to keep a little more roster-building flexibility, source tells ESPN,” Wojnarowski posted on X.

As for targets, the Lakers are reportedly focused on Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan and Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant.

“Another notable player the Lakers have interest in besides DeRozan is Blazers forward Jerami Grant, league sources told HoopsHype,” Michael Scotto of HoopsHype wrote on Tuesday.

Both DeRozan and Grant could make sense for LA

DeRozan could help take the ball out of James’ hands. According to Sam Amick, Charania and Jovan Buha of The Athletic, new head coach JJ Reddick is looking to use James in more of an off-the-ball capacity.

Grant is a solid 3-and-D player who could help space the floor along with rookie shooter Dalton Knecht.

There hasn’t been much buzz about the Lakers pursuing Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson, but there should be.

Johnson is another big (6’8″) 3-and-D contributor who shot 3.1 percent from beyond the arc last season. He also appears to be available as the Nets look to tear down their roster and rebuild.

“With Brooklyn entering a rebuild, Johnson is considered one of several trade candidates, including Dorian Finney-Smith, Bojan Bogdanovic, Dennis Schroder, Ben Simmons, and backup center Day’Ron Sharpe,” Scotto wrote on June 30.

Johnson’s $23.6 million cap hit makes him a fairly realistic target for Los Angeles, perhaps more so than either DeRozan or Grant—at least, if the Lakers can get below the second apron.

D’Angelo Russell remains the Lakers’ most realistic bargaining chip, but his $19.7 million salary wouldn’t match Johnson’s value—and would be even further off of Grant’s $29.8 million cap hit.

Teams over the second apron cannot aggregate contracts to trade for a single player.

The Bulls are open to a sign-and-trade that sends DeRozan to Los Angeles, according to KJ Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, but teams over the first apron cannot execute sign-and-trades that keep them over the threshold.

There could still be paths to acquiring DeRozan or Grant, but getting below the second line and finding a salary match for Johnson could be easier and may not require parting with a key piece like Austin Reaves.

Of course, Johnson doesn’t exactly fit the bill as a “third star,” and, according to Amick, James and Davis were hoping LA would go “all-in for another elite player.”

However, Johnson is a high-level supporting player who would fit the Lakers’ needs. While he wouldn’t fill that ball-handling role, Reddick could turn to Reaves and Gabe Vincent if Russell is dealt.

Johnson is also just 28 years old and under contract for three more seasons. This would make him a valuable addition to a franchise both looking to win now and preparing for a future without James.

The Lakers’ options are limited and dwindling by the day. While DeRozan and Grant are clearly near the top of the wish list, Johnson should be there too.