Johnson played a team high 40 minutes, scoring 15 points (6-10 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 0-2 FT) with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks Tuesday.

Johnson also turned it over a whopping eight times, but with Nick Young (thumb) and Xavier Henry (knee) out for the beginning of the regular season, he's going to get a lot of run at small forward. His ability to rack defensive stats makes him a very intriguing fantasy option as a late round pick this season.

Johnson (knee) is expected to start in Thursday's preseason tilt against the Golden State Warriors after fully participating in Wednesday's practice, InsideSoCal.com reports.

With Nick Young (thumb) and Xavier Henry (back) still sidelined, Johnson will be the Lakers' go-to-guy at small forward. He was one of only two player, Paul Millsap being the other, to average at least 1.0 three-pointers, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks last season, and should be a nice low end source of stats in fantasy leagues this season.

Johnson (knee) says he's fine after straining his knee in Monday's preseason win over the Nuggets.

Johnson departed Monday's contest after suffering the injury, but it appears to be nothing serious, as he was on the floor for Tuesday's light session. His status remains something to keep an eye on in the short term, however.

Johnson strained the patellar tendon in his left knee during Monday's preseason game and will be evaluated further Tuesday, sideline reporter Mike Trudell reports.

Johnson was able to play a few minutes after the initial injury but ultimately had to leave the game to prevent further damage. The fact that he wasn't sidelined immediately bodes well for his status moving forward, although Tuesday's update on his injury will be the ultimate determinant of his viability in the future.

Johnson, who played a lot of last season at power forward, will return to his natural position of small forward this season, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Johnson is a natural wing player and was out of position matching up against opposition power forwards last season. He'll be the Lakers' starter at the three and is a good fantasy source of blocks, steals, and three-pointers as one of only two players in the NBA to average at least 1.0 in each of those three categories last season.

Johnson is currently the favorite to start at small forward this season, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Coach Byron Scott said he hasn't definitely decided on who will start at the three, but stated that he likes Johnson's athleticism as the starter, with Nick Young's scoring ability being better suited to a bench role. Scott is going to focusing on getting consistency from Johnson this season and if he gets consistent minutes, he's a decent standard league fantasy option. Along with Paul Millsap, Johnson was the only player in the NBA to average at least 1.0 steal, 1.0 three-pointer, and 1.0 block per game last season.

Johnson is poised to start at small forward in the 2014-15 campaign, Lakers' official site reports.

Coach Byron Scott is considering a starting lineup of Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant, Johnson, Carlos Boozer, and Jordan Hill. Johnson may be the toughest call due to the presence of Nick Young and Xavier Henry on the wing. However, Johnson started 62 of his 79 games last season, averaging a modest 9.3 points (on 44.2 percent shooting), 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 threes, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 29.5 minutes. A slight decrease in playing time could occur with Kobe Bryant (knee) back to full strength, but varied lines should again populate his game log.

The Lakers officially re-signed Wes Johnson on Monday.

"Wesley possesses elite athleticism... and has the potential to develop into an excellent defender," said Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak. Johnson was able to log 28.4 minutes per game last season as the Lakers were devastated by injuries, but that situation will not likely be repeated. Johnson is not someone to target in standard leagues.

Lakers sign G/F Wes Johnson.

It's just a one-year, $1 million deal for Johnson, who had a terrific season in 2013-14. The Lakers were decimated by injuries last year and it was the main reason why Johnson was able to log 28.4 minutes per game. He is unlikely to match that average next season and won't be worth a pick in most fantasy drafts.

Wesley Johnson filled the stat sheet in Monday's 119-104 win over the Jazz, scoring 12 points with six boards, four assists, five steals, three blocks and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes.

This is a huge game for fantasy purposes thanks to the steals, blocks and triples. As it turns out, Johnson actually raised his season averages to 1.1 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 triples in 78 games. He and Paul Millsap are the only two players to hold averages of 1.0 or greater in all three of those aforementioned categories, which has helped make Johnson a decent asset for several stretches this season.

Wes Johnson scored 15 points and hauled in a season-high 15 rebounds in Sunday's loss vs. the Grizzlies, while adding three 3-pointers, four assists and one steal.

The Lakers' losing streak has reached seven games and could extend to nine if they lose in their final games to the Jazz (Monday) and Spurs (Wednesday). The absence of Kent Bazemore and Xavier Henry has been a boon for Johnson's value and he's a safe option for fantasy owners as the season draws to a close.

Wes Johnson logged 30 minutes on Friday against the Warriors, but managed just eight points on 4-of-8 shooting (no threes) with six rebounds and one steal.

Johnson is locked into 25-plus minutes right now and he should be better than this on most nights. Consider your options, but some patience is probably in order.

Wes Johnson hit just 3-of-11 shots on Tuesday, but finished with 11 points, four rebounds, five assists, a steal and three 3-pointers in the loss.

He's going to get solid minutes down the stretch and is worth owning in all leagues now that Kent Bazemore's season is over.

Wes Johnson hit just 3-of-13 shots for six points on Friday, but added 11 rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks in 32 minutes off the bench.

Nick Young (20 minutes, 14 points) had a minor right ankle issue tonight but Johnson got his minutes because Ryan Kelly got into early foul trouble. Johnson could keep putting up great lines like this or he could get a DNP-CD the next time out. Owners make the call to add him at their own risk.

Wes Johnson scored eight points on 3-of-6 shooting (including two threes) with 12 boards, three assists and one steal in 28 minutes off the bench on Wednesday.

Johnson was a DNP-CD and we're not even sure Mike D'Antoni knows (or cares) what he is doing on a night-to-night basis. Look at Johnson at your own risk.

Wes Johnson was a DNP-CD on Tuesday night vs. the Blazers.

When Nick Young plays, Johnson usually takes a backseat and it led to his DNP-CD of the season. He is not worth owning in any league right now.

Wes Johnson will move to the bench to face the Wolves on Friday.

It's against his former team, but coach Mike D'Antoni is moving guys around to fill the void left by Xavier Henry (knee). Johnson's value took a big hit when Nick Young returned from his knee injury, so he's a dicey play in fantasy leagues right now.

Mike D'Antoni suggested that Wes Johnson "sometimes [uses his] athleticism just to coast" during games.

"He needs to get out and just be relentless," D'Antoni said before Sunday's game, which Johnson finished with seven points, two rebounds, two assists and one block in 21 minutes. The limited playing time is a concern given the presence of Ryan Kelly, Nick Young and Kent Bazemore off the bench, and owners should weigh their options carefully before committing to Johnson in L.A.'s current four-game week.

Wes Johnson (illness) started Sunday's game, as expected, but finished with only seven points, three rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes.

He did chip in a 3-pointer and a block on Sunday, and he joins Paul Millsap as the only players averaging at least one 3-pointer, steal and block per game this season. The bad news is that Nick Young recently returned from his knee injury and Xavier Henry's wrist injury isn't believed to be serious, which puts a damper on Johnson's rest-of-season outlook.

Wes Johnson is expected to start against the Magic on Sunday after going through practice on Saturday.

He missed Friday's game due to an upper respiratory infection and it sounds like he's over it. Johnson moving back into the starting lineup spells trouble for Kent Bazemore, who played just 11 minutes on Friday. Johnson's fantasy value is also not going to be what it once was now that Nick Young is back, so fantasy owners shouldn't be too excited about Wes' return.