Lakers make surprise move, add experienced wing in midseason boost

While all eyes were on Luka Doncic's highly anticipated debut for the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, the franchise quietly made a move that could have implications for the roster later in the season.  

The Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, acquired forward Stanley Johnson in a trade with the Rip City Remix — the Portland Trail Blazers' affiliate. In exchange, South Bay sent the returning player rights to guard Devonte’ Graham, forward Vincent Valerio-Bodon and a 2026 second-round draft pick, the team announced.  

Lakers fans will remember Johnson from his 48-game stint with the team during the 2021-22 season, following a previous run with South Bay. His tenacity on defense and relentless hustle quickly made him a fan favorite. During that stretch, he averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in the NBA.  

Johnson was later traded to the Utah Jazz, along with Talen Horton-Tucker, in the deal that brought Patrick Beverley to Los Angeles in August 2022. Since then, he has bounced around the NBA and G League before heading overseas, signing with Turkish EuroLeague powerhouse Anadolu Efes in 2024.  

Now, the former lottery pick has returned to the United States for family reasons. With his departure from Anadolu Efes, an opportunity to reunite with the Lakers organization emerged.  

Still just 28 years old, Johnson remains an intriguing addition — not only for South Bay but potentially for the Lakers as well. A 6-foot-7 wing with defensive versatility, he could position himself for a call-up on a 10-day contract toward the end of the regular season. With Doncic now on the roster and the Lakers eyeing a deep playoff push, additional depth on the wing could prove valuable.  

Throughout 449 NBA games with the Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, Johnson has averaged 6.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists.  

While he has started 104 games, the majority of his minutes have come off the bench — a role he has embraced throughout his career. His experience and defensive impact make him a low-risk, high-reward acquisition for the Lakers front office.