At 22-18, the Los Angeles Lakers are currently entrenched in the middle of the Western Conference standings, sitting as the No. 6 seed. With a crucial game against the 6-35 Washington Wizards on Tuesday, their position could shift, but they’ve already made waves this season with a major trade. After remaining mostly inactive in previous transactional deadlines, the Lakers moved to offload the expiring contract of point guard D’Angelo Russell, along with second-year forward Maxwell Lewis and multiple future second-round picks, to the Brooklyn Nets. In return, the Lakers acquired 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith and scoring guard Shake Milton.
Despite the recent trade, the Lakers remain in need of another dynamic scorer and a strong wing defender to complement their ageing star, LeBron James. At 40 years old, James is still one of the league’s elite players, but the wear and tear of time and his extensive career could become an issue defensively. A new trade proposal has emerged that would see the Lakers making yet another deal with the Nets. This potential trade would land the Lakers a talented combo forward in Cameron Johnson and an intriguing young big man in Day’Ron Sharpe.
According to Ricardo Sandoval of Sports Illustrated, the hypothetical trade would send forward Rui Hachimura, point guards Jalen Hood-Schifino and Gabe Vincent, as well as a combination of future draft picks to the Nets. In return, Los Angeles would acquire Johnson and Sharpe, offering the Lakers the chance to bolster their roster with much-needed shooting, defense, and frontcourt depth. The proposal would see the Lakers sending a 2029 first-round pick, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2025 second-round pick to Brooklyn.
Cameron Johnson, who is enjoying a career-best season, could be exactly what the Lakers need. Standing at 6-foot-8, Johnson is averaging 19.5 points per game on impressive shooting splits of .500 from the field, .426 from three, and .897 from the free-throw line. He’s also contributing 4.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 0.8 steals per game, making him a versatile threat offensively and defensively. His ability to stretch the floor and play solid defense would provide a significant upgrade for the Lakers on the wing, especially with the wear and tear that has begun to show on LeBron’s defensive game.
Adding Johnson to the Lakers’ roster could provide the team with a player who fits seamlessly alongside superstars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. His ability to shoot the three ball and defend on the perimeter would help fill multiple gaps for a Lakers team that has struggled at times on both ends of the court. Johnson’s presence would also ease some of the defensive burden on James, allowing the Lakers to put together a more cohesive and balanced unit moving forward.
However, the trade proposal comes with a significant cost. In sending away Hachimura, Vincent, and Hood-Schifino, the Lakers would be parting with key rotation pieces and multiple future assets. Hachimura, who has been a solid contributor for the Lakers, would be a tough loss, but Johnson’s upside as a 3-and-D forward could make the sacrifice worthwhile. While Vincent has been a reliable defender, his offensive limitations and expensive $11 million salary make him a somewhat expendable asset.
Hood-Schifino, who was drafted in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, has already seen his future with the Lakers grow uncertain. The team declined his third-year team option at the start of the season, and with his role largely limited, the Lakers may be looking to move him in favor of more established talent. His inclusion in the trade would free up a roster spot for a player like Johnson, who can contribute immediately.
The trade would also involve significant future equity, with the Lakers parting with a 2029 first-round pick, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2025 second-round pick. These picks could prove valuable in the future, but the Lakers’ focus is clearly on improving their roster in the short term. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis both in the latter stages of their careers, the Lakers may feel that the time to win is now, and adding a player like Johnson could give them the necessary boost to contend for a championship this season.
The addition of Day’Ron Sharpe, though not as high-profile as Johnson, could also prove beneficial. The 6-foot-9 center provides depth in the frontcourt and offers a physical presence that could complement Davis in the paint. Sharpe’s rebounding and shot-blocking ability make him a valuable asset, and his development could pay dividends for the Lakers down the road.
One of the key questions surrounding this trade is whether the Lakers should be willing to sacrifice future assets for the chance at a title in the immediate future. With James and Davis aging, the window to contend for championships may be narrowing, and a trade like this would represent an all-in push to maximize their chances while they still have two superstars in their prime.
The Lakers’ front office must weigh the risks of giving up future picks and rotational players in exchange for a player like Johnson, who could potentially elevate the team’s play. The Western Conference is incredibly competitive, with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder at the top of the standings, and the Lakers will need to improve their roster significantly if they hope to outlast the competition.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Lakers will need to decide on whether to pursue this blockbuster deal. The potential acquisition of Cameron Johnson could be the key to their playoff aspirations. Still, with the NBA trade market shifting rapidly, the Lakers may need to act quickly to secure the pieces they need to make a deep postseason run. The next few weeks will be crucial in shaping the team’s direction for the rest of the season.
Ultimately, if the Lakers decide to pull the trigger on this trade, it could set them up for a more dynamic, well-rounded roster that is better equipped to contend for a championship. But with future assets on the line, the stakes for the franchise are high, and the decision will likely come down to the balance between short-term gains and long-term sustainability. The Lakers’ pursuit of a title could very well hinge on the success of this potential blockbuster trade.