Philadelphia 76ers Thanksgiving: One thing to be thankful for with every player

Amir Johnson — His veteran presence

Amir Johnson, now in his 14th NBA season, is declining at a sharp rate. He’s prone to excessive fouling and doesn’t offer the defensive stability that once defined his value. The Sixers should look to move away from him in the rotation.

With that said, Johnson does provide a valuable presence in the locker room. The Sixers, even with the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, are still a young team. Joel Embiid is just 24, while the other core pieces (outside Butler) are even younger.

The Sixers brought Johnson back knowing his production would inevitably decline. Brett Brown still favors him a bit much, but it’s doubtful Amir sees legitimate minutes when the games count most.  He’s in Philadelphia for his familiarity and leadership skills.

It’s easy to grow irritated whenever Johnson haphazardly fouls a driving guard or blows a point-blank shot, but it’s important to remember his value stretches beyond the box score (and the court).