The Sixer Sense
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Should the Sixers re-sign Amir Johnson?

By Christopher Kline

WASHINGTON, DC -  OCTOBER 18: Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the 2017-18 regular season game against the Washington Wizards on October 18, 2017 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  OCTOBER 18: Amir Johnson #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the 2017-18 regular season game against the Washington Wizards on October 18, 2017 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Should the Philadelphia 76ers keep their backup center from last season?

Last season, there was a large contingent of Philadelphia 76ers fans thoroughly against playing Amir Johnson. The thought of Richaun Holmes — an athletic lob-catcher who makes highlight blocks and sometimes hit threes — is an appealing one, and many fans called for the younger big to take on backup center minutes.

There was one issue with that line of thought, though: Johnson was better than Holmes. He wasn’t the same explosive leaper on offense, but he set solid screens and developed positive chemistry with Ben Simmons. He is also less of a defensive liability, which was the main reason Holmes seldom saw the floor.

Johnson doesn’t do anything at an elite level, but he impacts the game in ways that go beyond the box score — at least, I think that was the description they gave for the Hustle Award last week. He hustles, makes smart rotations defensively and plays within the system offensively.

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He has all the role player traits that kept things from burning down whenever Joel Embiid sat.

There seems to be a solid chance that Jonah Bolden is with the team next season, which would offer Johnson some more competition for minutes behind Embiid. Bolden brings a lot of desirable tools to the modern NBA, spacing the floor, running in transition and occasionally working off the dribble.

Kyle O’Quinn has also been mentioned as a potential free-agent signing, which would essentially rule out a Johnson return. The former Knick is a tough defender who provides a tad more offensively versatility than Johnson, albeit neither can consistently shoot from deep.

With all of that in mind, though, I would venture to say that Johnson — at least early on — will be more effective than Bolden. He has also established chemistry with the Sixers’ core and doesn’t need to learn the system, boxes O’Quinn can’t check.

Since the Sixers have largely struck out on big-name free agents, stressing familiarity and bringing back players who fit the locker room and culture makes sense. Johnson is another veteran leader who enjoyed his time in Philadelphia last season.

Next: An early look at the Sixers' rotation

With the market drying up, it’s likely that the Sixers can get Johnson at or close to the minimum. Bringing him back for one more year could be the right move.