Lakers Sign Wesley Johnson to One-Year Deal

According to the LA Times, the Lakers have scooped up swingman Wesley Johnson on a minimum-salary deal to act as a back-up small forward. Some details: “In guard-forward Wesley Johnson, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak has found another other quality player on a minimum-salary contract. Drafted fourth in 2010 by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Johnson never quite lived up to his potential coming out of Syracuse.  Now 26, Johnson showed some improvement in Phoenix with the Suns last season after a July 2012 trade from the Wolves. Johnson has good length with the potential to be a strong perimeter defender.  In stretches he was able to hit the three-point shot last season with the Suns. If the Lakers can stay healthy, with the attention veterans Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash demand, Johnson might be able to develop into a valuable role player. Pencil him in as the team’s backup to Nick Young at small forward, although the rotation will evolve once the Lakers get to training camp in October. Johnson will make $916,099 for the coming season.”