Gallinari vs Wesley Johnson: Wesley Johnson can be a productive starter for the Lakers.

I took 18 games last year that Wesley Johnson played more than 25 minutes per game. During that span, he averaged 33.1 minutes per game.

In those games, Phoenix win-loss record was 5-13, and Johnson averaged 14.7 points, 45.1 FG%, 36.6 3P%, 77.3 FT%, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.6 blocks, 1.5 TO's.

In 32.5 MPG last year , Gallinari averaged 16.2 points, 41.8 FG%, 37.3 3P%, 82.2 FT%, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks, 1.6 TO's.

In 38.5 MPG last year , Nicolas Batum averaged 14.3 points, 42.3 FG%, 37.2 3P%, 84.8 FT%, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.1 blocks and 2.6 TO's.


Although Batum and Gallinari are two years younger, taller, have more experience as starters and probably are a tadbit more aggressive driving the ball , in the last 4 seasons, Gallinari has averaged 30 plus minutes a game and has never shot over 36.5% from the 3-Point Line. In the last 3 seasons where Batum has averaged 30 plus minutes per game, Batum's highest average points per game is 14.3. However, by almost all of our standards, they are both seen as a above average NBA starter at SF.

Also, Denver (106.1 points per game) was the highest scoring team in the league and Phoenix was 21st (95.1 points per game).  Even with Alvin Gentry, Phoenix was 9th in pace and Denver was 2nd.

Portland also has Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews and LaMarcus Aldridge to take pressure of Batum as a player.

Denver has Andre Miller who is a much better backup point guard than whoever Phoenix had behind Dragic.

I conclude that Wesley Johnson can be just as productive as Gallinari and Batum if given the opportunity.

What do you think?