Wesley Johnson
March 16, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Wesley Johnson (11) during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: C
Wesley Johnson didn’t have to budge after joining the Clippers after time with the Los Angeles Lakers.
A 3-and-D small forward with “potential”, if you continue to believe he’s capable of nearing the ceiling projected by a former top-5 overall pick (selected 4th overall in the 2010 draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, ahead of DeMarcus Cousins, Greg Monroe, Gordon Hayward, Paul George, and other notables), for the veteran’s minimum it’s hard to argue against Rivers’ decision to bring the wing player on.
A truth? He’s tons better than Hedo Turkoglu, on both sides of the ball even when factoring in Turkoglu’s basketball I.Q. The difference in the two will be roles. Where Hedo Turkoglu was supposed to be the emergency forward off the bench but was forced to be the backup due to a lack of depth, Johnson will actually be that as the likes of Paul Pierce, Jamal Crawford, Lance Stephenson, and Josh Smith on the roster.
But if the opportunity for needing Johnson arrives, he’s much better than the elder Turkoglu which — it’s the little things.