Lakers rumor offers intriguing update on potential trade interest in Cam Johnson

With each passing day, it seems as though the ship has sailed on the Los Angeles Lakers making a splash in free agency. General manager Rob Pelinka has thus far been either unwilling or unable to add new players, and has thus made it clear that his priority is the trade market.

Nothing has materialized on the trade front just yet, but a new rumor has shed light on the direction the Lakers are hoping to go in.

When Los Angeles hired JJ Redick as head coach, a clear commitment was made to improving as a three-point shooting team. Re-signing Max Christie and drafting Dalton Knecht seemed to fit that vision, and the pursuit of improvement isn't over just yet.

According to Brian Lewis of The New York Post, the Lakers are one of six teams that could potentially attempt to trade for Brooklyn Nets sharpshooter Cam Johnson.

"While the Kings, Magic and Lakers are interested, one recent report claimed the Spurs, Raptors or Warriors could be a “dark horse.”"

Johnson has been on the radar in speculative trade discussions, but this potentially confirms his status as an actual Lakers target.

Cam Johnson officially surfaces on the Lakers' trade radar

Johnson, 28, is entering the second season of a four-year, $94.5 million contract. That equates to 16.8 percent of the 2024-25 salary cap, and is projected to consume less than 14 percent during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 campaigns.

In terms of what the Lakers would be paying for, Johnson is one of the best shooters in the NBA—and he just so happens to have ties to Redick.

Johnson boasts career averages of 11.7 points and 2.2 three-point field goals made per game on 39.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Those numbers translate to 16.6 points and 3.1 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes, which is a more accurate representation of his offensive value.

A 6'8" sharpshooter with tremendous fundamentals and a quick and high release point, Johnson is a top-tier shooter who ranked among the league's elite the last time he was on a star-studded team.

Johnson shot 42.5 percent from beyond the arc in 2021-22, when he played alongside Devin Booker and Chris Paul. It's fair to believe that he could return to that level of elite efficiency if he were to play with Anthony Davis and LeBron James in Los Angeles.

It's also worth noting that Johnson appeared on The Old Man & the Three and had a fascinating discussion about shooting with Redick.

In Los Angeles, Johnson could play the 3 or the 4 in a floor-spacing role alongside Davis and James. As the Lakers aspire to improve upon their 2023-24 ranking of No. 24 in three-point field goals made, it's clear what type of void he could fill.

Johnson has a tough contract to acquire, but if the Lakers are willing to part with a draft pick and gamble on him staying healthy, it could be a fruitful decision.