Joe Johnson could fix the Philadelphia 76ers‘ issues without a hefty price tag.
We’re just one week away from the Feb. 8 trade deadline, which means the Philadelphia 76ers could be in the market for some new pieces. They’ve been notably thin on the perimeter all season, so additional wing depth in likely their primary concern.
Tyreke Evans has already been connected to the Sixers, but he’d require a first round pick. Lou Williams is another high-profile option, but he’d cost even more than Evans. Someone who could help the Sixers without mortgaging any long-term assets is Joe Johnson, who’s reportedly angling for a trade out of Utah.
Johnson is on an expiring deal worth $10.5 million, meaning Philadelphia would have no strings attached beyond this season. The 36-year-old isn’t likely to command much in free agency either, so re-signing him — depending on the other available moves — wouldn’t be out of the picture.
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The fact that Johnson wants out of Utah probably means he’d prefer a contender, so the Sixers might not satisfy all of his desires. Still, unlike Utah, they’re firmly in the playoff race. If he’s okay with joining Joel Embiid an Ben Simmons while playing major minutes for a team that’s top-eight in it’s conference, Bryan Colangelo should at least be making the call.
Johnson adds a lot to the Sixers’ second unit that they don’t currently have. He isn’t the All-NBA scorer he once was, but provides some nice versatility on the wing and can presumably space the floor. His shooting has dropped off this season, though, so there’s some concern there (26.7 percent from three).
Playmaking might be Johnson’s best asset at this point. He’s not going to run the offense, but could function nicely as an auxillery creator off the bench alongside Ben Simmons or T.J. McConnell. He has a respectable mid-range game, while his strong frame allows him to probe the interior and score around the basket effectively.
It’s worth noting that Johnson missed extended time with a hand injury earlier this season, and has steadily improved since returning to the floor. He shot 35.1 percent from deep in the month of January, while his scoring creeped up to 8.6 per game in 24.4 minutes.
That recent improvement should quell some of the concerns fans may have when looking at his season-long statistics. He’s aging, but he’s still talented enough to contribute in a defined role.
Such a deal would probably take Trevor Booker or Amir Johnson‘s expiring contract and a second round pick. That could hurt the Sixers’ depth in the frontcourt, but giving Richaun Holmes more minutes might be worth it. Also, Johnson (and Justin Anderson) can serve as emergency power forwards if needed.
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This is one of those under-the-radar proposals that probably won’t gain much traction, but Johnson could bring a lot of value to the Sixers’ second unit this season. It’s at least worth a look.