Frank Vogel Addresses Future Role for Lakers’ Expected New Signing

The Los Angeles Lakers wanted Stanley Johnson for a reason. His performance is impressive and the same goes to his defense and athleticism. Johnson got a 10-year deal with the Lakers, but NBA experts believe he will get a better deal with the team. Head coach Frank Vogel discussed Johnson’s future role with the team.

Rajon Rondo is on his way out, and he may create enough room for Johnson.

Update: Rajon Rondo has exited the health and safety protocols, meaning his trade can be finalized. pic.twitter.com/g7D0bSWbzp

— Harrison Faigen (@hmfaigen) January 2, 2022

“We’ll see,” Vogel said. “We’re going to use the whole time to evaluate Stanley. I think he’s done a great job for us so far. His toughness and hustle is something that I think our team really needs. He has provided a valuable role in that regard, and we’ll continue to evaluate him during the duration of his contract.”

Frank Vogel makes good point on Johnson’s future role

Johnson is 25 and he is the perfect addition for the Lakers. He has made many stops in the NBA in seven years. Johnson was great in the win over the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Lakers may consider having him around for a while.

“What we saw in Stanley is just a little bit more foot speed with the Damian Lillard double-teams,” Vogel added. “There wasn’t a Nurkic out there that could really impose his size on us. So it’ll kind of be on a game-to-game basis, but that’s what we saw tonight and Stanley was great in that regard.”

The Lakers were expected to make a big move and trading Rondo was an option. His fans weren’t happy with this idea, but the Lakers had to fix their struggling roster. Bobby Marks from ESPN has more on his trade and Johnson’s potential contract.

“From the Lakers’ perspective, they could have just sent out Rondo, but they would have had to taken something back, a draft pick, cash. As we talked about with Cleveland, the goal was to send back salary. Denzel Valentine goes back to the Lakers. … $847,072 is his cap hit, right? That goes to the dead cap-hit pile. That goes to the dead cap-hit pile. That allows the Lakers to do when Stanley Johnson’s hardship expires on January 2, they can sign him to a veteran minimum contract. His number would be right around $930,000. The Lakers play on January 4, I can see them, that is when they would sign that contract. So it is almost a wash.”