Los Angeles Lakers: Last Season Of Wesley Johnson?

Both the Los Angeles Lakers and NBA fans have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Wesley Johnson as the young dynamic wing in the mold of former Laker, Trevor Ariza.

Infamously known as the fourth overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft, Johnson was selected before DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George and Lance Stephenson, to name a few. Despite a high ceiling, Johnson has not scratched the surface of his potential.

Johnson brings all the tools to the Lakers, but putting them together has proven to be a tall task for him. Perhaps the Lakers should prepare to part ways after Johnson finishes year two in Hollywood.

The Lakers were also hoping that Johnson could mold himself into the “3 and D” wing to wreak havoc on the perimeter alongside Kobe Bryant. Contrary to popular belief, Johnson has had solid performances in both seasons with the Lakers.

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His first go-round came under the tutelage of Mike D’Antoni, otherwise known as “The Prospect Whisperer.” D’Antoni possesses a knack for bringing the best out of players, and it wasn’t hard to imagine that he could do the same for Johnson.

Averages of 9.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game were all career highs for Johnson during the 2013-14 season. Johnson also shot it at 42.5 percent.

It seems as if he has regressed this season, where his averages have dipped to 7.6 points (39.1 percent shooting) and 3.7 rebounds per game. With his minutes increasing from 28.4 to 32.3 per game, you would believe that Johnson could build upon his performances from last year.

In his defense, the return of Kobe Bryant could be factored into the equation.

So why wouldn’t Johnson be worth another deal to the Lakers? The decision is likely based upon the fact that he is the player that he is at this point. Despite 77 starts in two years, Johnson is better-suited in a reserve role. As a starter, his inconsistency and disappearances at times can be costly.

Johnson is the type of player that can provide you energy, disrupt offensive flow for opponents, and come up with some of the most athletic plays you can find. Matched with those plays come streaky jump-shooting, loose ball-handling, and lack of focus.

For the Laker’s sake, they must think about solidifying a dependable piece at small forward. The position has not seen anyone reliable outside of Metta World Peace. Even looking into the NBA draft, there are plenty of guys that can likely become solid players at that spot, like Justise Winslow or Stanley Johnson.

One could say that those prospects could follow into the same footsteps as Johnson, but with youth on their side, they face a much more steady path than the 27-year old.

On top of talented rookie prospects, you have free agents such as Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard whom the Lakers could offer a major contract.

These players are pretty much everything that one hoped Johnson could be, offering scoring ability, lockdown defense, and the constant tenacity that brings success outside of the stat sheet. Unless a miraculous jump is made, Johnson just can’t mirror that player’s production.

Despite limitations, Johnson can find a niche in the league, just not in similar big lights like Los Angeles.

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