Grade the trade pitch: Lakers add sharpshooter from Brooklyn Nets fire sale
The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market for a sharpshooting wing who can help address a significant weakness. It's a common goal for teams in any offseason, as the emphasis on three-point shooting has only grown stronger in the aftermath of the era that Stephen Curry revolutionized.
As the Lakers look for ways to improve this summer, a franchise amid a fire sale could be the perfect potential trade partner.
The Brooklyn Nets made waves at the start of the 2024 offseason by trading franchise player Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks. In return for Bridges, the Nets received Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round draft picks, a protected first-round selection, and a pick swap.
It was a massive haul from a draft compensation perspective, as well as a clear example of Brooklyn prioritizing the future over the present from a team-building perspective.
This is vital information for the Lakers to consider, as their need to improve coincides with the Nets' desire to build long-term. In doing so, general manager Rob Pelinka would likely focus on one name in particular: Cameron Johnson.
The questions that must be answered ahead of a potential trade, however, are simple: What would it cost and how would Johnson fit?
The Target
As far as the way Johnson would fit is concerned, it's easy to see why he would emerge on the Lakers' radar. Standing at 6'8" and 210 pounds with a 6'10" wingspan, Johnson is a player who can provide defensive value in the right role and system due to his size and length alone.
More importantly, he's one of the best shooters in the NBA, with a high release point and pinpoint accuracy from all over the court.
In 2023-24, Johnson averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.4 three-point field goals made in 27.6 minutes per game. He did so on .446/.391/.789 shooting, which is eerily similar to his career slash line of .447/.392/.830.
It's also worth noting that Johnson has a connection with Lakers head coach JJ Redick, having appeared on The Old Man & the Three in an enlightening interview.
The red flag with Johnson boils down to availability. He missed 40 games during the 2022-23 season, as well as 24 in 2023-24. Injury concerns will always create pause in potential trade discussions, which makes the context as crucial as ever in this scenario.
With all of this established, the question is simple: What would a trade look like between Brooklyn and Los Angeles?