In their continued effort to upgrade their roster, the Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Wesley Johnson to a one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum.
Johnson was drafted fourth overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but hasn't quite lived up to his potential. However, he remains to have good length and the potential to be a strong perimeter defender.
Johnson last played for the Phoenix Suns and has been bouncing around the league ever since he was drafted. He'll be a nice addition to the Lakers as he'll bring fresh legs to an offense that is orchestrated by fairly old players.
He'll also likely be expected to back-up Nick Young at the small forward position, although the rotation will be sure to change once the team starts training camp in October.
Johnson will make $916,099 for the coming season.
Earlier in the week the Lakers signed Young and guard Jordan Famar as an effort to rebuild after Dwight Howard's departure to the Houston Rockets.
Young, 28, signed a one-year deal at the veteran's minimum with the Lakers and will make $1.2 million next season. He spent last season with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 10.6 points and 23.9 minutes a game.
Farmar also signed a one-year, veteran minimum deal worth approximately $1 million. He has spent the last year playing in the Turkish Basketball League this past season, and was required to take a financial hit in order for the deal with the Lakers to be completed.
"They knew about my deal overseas and really didn't push it earlier because they didn't think I'd be willing to give up that guaranteed money I had over there," Farmar said in a phone interview with ESPNLosAngeles.com. "I wanted to be back in the NBA, but more importantly, back with the Lakers. This is the only situation I would have taken a minimum deal with."
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