Late season addition Trey Johnson, who received a fair amount of success considering the circumstances, has announced he will not return to the Los Angeles Lakers or the NBA next season.
While many players are signing with European teams because of the league’s current lockout, most of those players, such as Deron Williams, have opt-out clauses that allow them to return to the United States if the lockout is resolved.
Johnson has signed with an Italian League team, but does not have an opt-out clause. This means that next season, despite the condition of the NBA, Johnson will be suiting up for Teramo Basket, of the Italian League.
Johnson spent the majority of the 2010-11 season with the Bakersfield Jam, the Lakers’ D-League affiliate. His numbers in Bakersfield were impressive, as he put averaged 22.5 points, 4.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds each game.
After being called up to the Lakers, Johnson played well in the final regular season game in Sacramento. Johnson scored six points while playing 13 minutes in a game that ultimately clinched the second seed in the Western Conference for Los Angeles. His impact on the team was greatly decreased once the post-season started and he saw his minutes reduced.
Another former Laker, Jordan Farmar, also recently announced his intention to play overseas during the lockout. The current New Jersey Nets guard will play in Israel until the new CBA is ratified.
