The San Antonio Spurs have signed seven-year veteran Stanley Johnson to a one-year contract, according to multiple sources. In August, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Johnson and Talen Horton-Tucker to the Utah Jazz for Patrick Beverley.
However, the Jazz waived the 26-year-old in October. In 48 games with the Lakers last season, the forward averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He also shot 46.6% from the field and 31.4% from downtown.
Based on a few NBA betting sites, the Spurs have the lowest odds in the league to win the championship in 2023. Considering San Antonio is rebuilding under coach Gregg Popovich, sportsbooks aren’t expecting much.
The San Antonio Spurs have signed veteran forward Stanley Johnson to a one-year contract, sources said. @Athletics @ Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 13, 2022
While with the Lakers during the 2021-22 season, the California native scored a game-high 21 points in a 120-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 8.
Johnson was selected eighth overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2015 NBA Draft. During the 2017-18 season, the wing averaged a career-high 8.7 points per game in 69 games.
The Spurs have signed seven-year veteran wing Stanley Johnson to a one-year contract
During the 2018-19 season, the Pistons traded Johnson to the New Orleans Pelicans. With the Pelicans, the forward averaged 5.3 points, 2.3 boards and 1.6 assists off the bench in 18 games.
Following the season, New Orleans declined to extend a $4.5 million qualifying offer to the wing, making him a free agent.
Johnson also signed a deal with the Toronto Raptors through the 2019 season. He played two seasons with the team. In 61 games during the 2020-21 season, the wing averaged 4.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists for Toronto.
On May 13, 2021, in the Raptors’ 114-102 loss to the Chicago Bulls, the Arizona product scored a game-high 35 points in 44 minutes of action.
In addition to recording 10 boards, five assists and three steals, he shot 12-22 (54.5%) from the floor and knocked down six 3-pointers.
Lakers fans are probably upset that GM Rob Pelinka traded Stanley Johnson to the Jazz for Patrick Beverley. In 20 starts this season, Beverley is averaging a career-low 4.5 points per game.
If Johnson can stay healthy, this is a solid signing by the Spurs.
