Two midseason pickups who emerged as serviceable role players will remain with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The team has picked up the contract options of forwards Stanley Johnson and Wenyen Gabriel, paving the way for both to wear the Purple and Gold next season.
Johnson was originally signed to multiple 10-day contracts starting in December when the team was ravaged by injuries and players being placed into the NBA’s health and safety protocol.
Although he lacks competent outside shooting skills, he proved a decent defender, and his energy and youth were sorely needed on a roster that was one of the NBA’s oldest ever.
The Lakers announced the exercising of team options for 2022-23 on both Stanley Johnson and Wenyen Gabriel.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 29, 2022
Johnson, a Southern California native, was a former lottery pick in 2015. Although he is unlikely to achieve the production expected from such a player, he can be a solid role player for L.A. if he improves his 3-point shooting.
Gabriel, an undrafted 6-foot-9 man, was picked up by the Lakers late in the schedule. He, too, is raw offensively, but he showed the ability to be a good rebounder, box out and finish around the hoop when set up by his teammates.
