UPDATE (01/06/23)
The Lakers announced on Thursday that they have signed Stanley Johnson to a 10-day contract. He will be eligible for one more 10-day contract before the team must sign him to a contract for the rest of the season.
OFFICIAL: Stanley's Back pic.twitter.com/iWNgSOLN8m
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 6, 2022
UPDATE (01/05/22)
The reunion between the Lakers and Stanley Johnson seems more likely than ever, at least according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The Lakers will be offering Stanley Johnson a 10-day contract, similar to the one they offered but that was a hardship exemption.
The Lakers will likely sign small ball big man Stanley Johnson to a 10-day contract on Thursday, league sources told ESPN. Johnson, 25, recently completed a 10-day hardship exemption contract with LAL and the SoCal native made an impact with his on-ball defense and toughness
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 5, 2022
The Lakers are able to offer him two 10-day contracts during the season, so they will still have another one available before they have to sign him for the rest of the year. Given his production and impact on the team, signing him for the rest of the season seems like the right move. For now, since the 10-day contract does not count against the cap or luxury tax, it’s a smart move for the Lakers.
Original Story Follows:
Remember when Rob Pelinka talked about that bread from Heaven? He must think Stanley Johnson is at least a slice sent from the skies above at this point in the season. Johnson has come in adding much-needed wing depth and defensive versatility. The team lost Austin Reaves and Trevor Ariza in less than two weeks time and it depleted much of their two-way ability.
As of today, his 10-day contract has come to an end, along with that of Darren Collison. The two are technically free agents waiting in the wing. As of now, the Lakers and Johnson remain mutually interested in a reunion that could last through the rest of the season. ESPN’s Dave Mcmenamin tweeted the happenings upon the Lakers completing their trade of Rajon Rondo to the Cleveland Cavaliers:
There's mutual interest between Stanley Johnson and the Lakers to have him rejoin the team, league sources told ESPN. LAL has three options to have him come back: Sign him outright; sign for a 10-day contract then retain; sign him for two consecutive 10-days, then retain.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 4, 2022
Here’s the deal: the chances that the Lakers allow Johnson to be whisked away by another team seem to be dwindling by the day. Their sole purpose of trading Rondo was to open a roster spot amidst a crowded room. It still has to become official to stamp Stanimal in as a Laker.
The earliest they can make a signing, such as a new 10-day deal for Johnson, is on Wednesday, January 5th. The next day is the last in which they can decide to guarantee the contract for Avery Bradley. Just when things couldn’t get busier, January 15th is the date that Talen Horton-Tucker becomes trade eligible.
Time is winding down for the Lakers, and they could be looking like they got a makeover in the next two weeks. Hopefully the team can avoid any more players going into protocol. For now, they can take advantage of one silver lining found in these up and down times. It’s a great thing for Stanley Johnson as well.