4:45 PM: The 10-day contracts for Collison and Johnson are now official, per Kyle Goon of The Southern California News Group (via Twitter).
12:28 PM: The Lakers intend to sign guard Darren Collison and forward Stanley Johnson to 10-day contracts via hardship exceptions, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reports (via Twitter) that the team hopes both players can be available for Saturday’s Christmas Day contest vs. Brooklyn.
Collison made a surprise retirement announcement just ahead of free agency in the summer of 2019, citing family and religious reasons. In his final NBA season in 2018/19, he averaged 11.2 PPG and 6.0 APG with a .467/.407/.832 shooting line in 76 games (28.2 MPG) for the Pacers.
There were reports that Collison might return with the Lakers or Clippers during the ’19/20 season, but nothing came of those rumors and he later said they were overblown. However, the 34-year-old reportedly worked out for the Lakers and Warriors this summer, signaling that he remained open to the idea of a comeback. Now, for at least 10 days, it’s happening.
Johnson, 25, signed a 10-day hardship deal with the Bulls earlier this month, but entered the health and safety protocols before appearing in a game with the team. Assuming he tested positive for COVID-19, it appears he’s now fully recovered.
The No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 draft, Johnson has played for the Pistons, Pelicans, and Raptors since entering the NBA. He has proven capable of providing energy and defensive versatility off the bench, but his offensive game has always been limited. In 371 career regular season games, he has averaged 6.2 PPG on .375/.298/.761 shooting in 19.7 minutes per contest.
Collison and Johnson will be the Lakers’ third and fourth hardship signings, joining Isaiah Thomas and Jemerrio Jones. The team currently has five players in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
I don’t think Stanley Johnson even appeared for the Bulls when he signed a 10 Day
Rather to bring him and not need him than…
They only need him for the lay-up line so the lines aren’t so short that guys get worn out during pre-game.
Other than that, he contributes nothing.
Get that money tho, Stanley!
Once again going for names over fit… this is why the Lakers fail in a nutshell.. without LeBron wanting to make movies near his son in high school… the Lakers are the Pelicans right now… if that.
Just to clarify.. the point was they went for guards.. the absolute last thing this team needs right now… instead of a swing or big which the do need. Unless Carmelo is their new starting PF… these 10 days were just “the best names available”
Johnson has always been a good wings defender tho… best players are typically a wing player on the opposing team.
So who’s not playing? THT? Westbrook? Thomas? Lebron? Ellington? Bradley? Who
Far be it from me to defend the LeBlakers, but I don’t think the pool of big men is too deep right now.
That said, how important is position (at least on offense) if nobody has a chance to touch the ball besides LeBron and Westbrook?
How come you all ignored the entire point here? The lakers have 5-6 guards who need minutes… they were down bigs… instead of getting bigs to fill those spots they picked up the two “names” (IE the best prestige available) rather than sign what they needed in the moment. This is the MO of the entire organization and why their roster sucks in general this season.
What superstar is available on a 10-day contract?
Both most likely gone in 10 days same as IT. So why do people get so crazy about a 109 day contract? They have 10 days to prove they belong in the system. Only Collison has a chance to stay pass 10 days.
We’re talking huge names like the legendary Stanley Johnson and future Hall of Famer Darren Collision.
Stanley is only 25?
Stanley is one player type that can actually work with current Lakers roster. Someone who can actually stay in front of his man, shoot wide open 3s, and is still athletic (a player that THT should be). He was decent with Raptors last season (this is consensus except for 1 moron here).
Stanley Johnson is a 6’ 6” forward who plays defense.
Better than Rondo and THT. They’re been awful.
They should of signed Sign Al-Farouq Aminu, Norvel Pelle before the Celtics
Interesting that teams won’t touch LiAngelo Ball.
Of course, he’s not an NBA player, but many of the recently signed – but needed – players aren’t either.
Do you think teams are simply staying away from the potential Lavar headache? Like, if LiAngelo gets signed but simply rides the bench, Lavar will criticize the coach and organization….
Or, if he gets in a game and goes 1-3 on jumpshots Lavar will say he should be starting – with the offense built around him.
Lavar followers can’t wait to say “he got all 3 kids to the NBA”!
To paraphrase the great philosopher Meatloaf … 2 out of 3 ain’t bad …
Pretty sure that was more those two than anything Lavar did – or the third one wouldn’t be struggling to find a place in pro ball.
But, to my post, you think he is what’s keeping a team from signing LiAngelo? Or, is he simply not good enough?
Its hard for a player to learn a whole new system in 10 days. If Ball was playing well enough to matter the Lakers would sign him. Don’t go by G league stats because many times they are playing against lesser talented players.
Ok thanks… Ahhh, yeah, I’d imagine it’d be hard to pick up a new system that quick. I’ll disregard his GLeague stats, since there’s not much competition.
Thanks for the feedback!
Players go to G league for playing time and improving part of the game they need to make better. If you look at Ball’s stats you would see he is not playing very many minutes and learning a news system. Better for his career to stay in G league and earn a spot next year instead of sitting on the bench in NBA never improving.
Gotcha… thanks!
THT needs to go, he’s awful this season!!
Someone bring back Micheal Beasley please
If the Lakers are going to improve at all… they are probably limited on trade partners for Westbrook. You have the bottom feeders like Detroit, Indy, Minn, Orlando. Memphis could be an interesting location.
No matter what you do, someone is probably calling OKC to take on spare parts in a trade.